"The Death Of Hathor" By Tiffany Flowers

TITLE: The Death of Hathor

RATING: R

ARCHIVE: S&JRA ONLY!!!! All others PLEASE ask.

SPOILERS: Thor's Hammer, Hathor, Fifth Race, Out of Mind, Message In a Bottle, Thor's Chariot, Serpent's Song, and a slight one for COTG.

DISCLAIMERS: I don't own them, just playing with them. I will return them in one piece. Thanks to Gekko, Double Secret and Showtime. Thanks a million, guys and gals of these companies.

FEEDBACK: Love it!!! Hate bad reviews.

NOTES: Beware, character death (with ressurection), pull out the Kleenex. This story was written before I saw "Into the Fire" so please forgive me for any thing that might be wrong. :-)

Copyright 1999 TIFFANY FLOWERS

*****

She was sitting at the computer terminal working on some gate computations, when she felt the soft rubbing of her already sore, tired shoulders. She leaned her head back and saw the dark, chocolate brown eyes that she had fallen in love with. She looked at him and smiled, even though he knew she was tired.

"I'm almost done, Sir. A few more computaions." She said, sounding both tired and frustrated. She went back to her work, while Colonel Jack O'Neill pulled up a chair next to her, watching her do her "thing" that she always did. She was trying to get a certain symbol from the Stargate's database to come up, but she wasn't getting it to come up. She was only getting more and more frustrated. Jack watched, trying not to say anything stupid.

"Dammit!" Major Samantha Carter shouted, throwing down her clipboard and leaned back, running her fingers through her short, blonde hair. Jack noticed this and tried to help, but he knew as well as she did, he didn't know the first thing about the Stargate and all that it intailed.

"Carter," Jack said softly. "Why not just call it a night on that, will ya?" he asked, knowing how dedicated Sam was to this project. Asking Sam to stop working on the gate was like asking Doctor Daniel Jackson to stop studying an ancient artifact. Jack thought this with a laugh.

"Yeah, maybe you're right." Sam said, agreeing with him for a change on this one. This surprised Jack. //Sam, giving up so easily. That's not possible.\\ Jack thought silently. Jack could only stare at her with a look of sheer surprise and shock. Sam looked up and laughed at his expression.

"What?" she asked innocently. "What did I do?" she shrugged her small shoulders in failure to understand what she did wrong. He only shook his head in amazement as they stood up to leave the Control Room. He watched as she started walking away from him.

"Carter, it's not like you to walk away from something like this the way you are." Jack said, teasing her and smiling his great smile that made her heart melt. She melted everytime Jack smiled at her or showed any kind of affection to her personally.

"I guess I'm just tired, Colonel," Sam admitted. "I think I'll turn in, Sir." Sam finally said, turning off the terminal, only to turn it right back on in a few hours. She began to walk past Jack, when he grabbed her right arm softly. She looked at him confused, not knowing what to do or say. Jack leaned down slightly, being that Carter was almost as tall as him, feeling her breath quicken, he kissed her softly and sincerely on her cheek.

"Good night, Sam." Jack said, retreating out of the room rather quickly. It wasn't often that he called her Sam in a soft way. Sam followed him at a quick pace, trying to catch up to him so that she could talk to him about what just happened. Before she could call out his name, he closed the door to his quarters. She let out a breath that she didn't realise that she had held. //Damn!\\ she thought. Carter turned and walked to her own quarters.

She opened the door and went inside, closing the door behind her. She laid down on the bed and the minute her head hit the pillow, Sam fell into a fitful sleep of dreams and nightmares.

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

The next morning, Sam woke up to someone softly caressing her right cheek, the same cheek that O'Neill had kissed the night before. She opened her blue eyes and saw Colonel O'Neill sitting on the edge of her bed looking down at her.

"Care to join us, Major?" Jack asked, grinning. Sam noticed that he was wearing his field uniform and had his Kevlar helmet in his lap. His M16A2 was strapped across his left shoulder. Sam sat up and remembered that they were going to the planet designated, P3X 985 that day. She hurried out of the room saying that she'd only need 15 minutes to change.

Rushing into the Gate Room after only 10 minutes, Carter noticed that Teal'c -their Jaffa friend- and Daniel Jackson were waiting at the end of the Gate's ramp. Sam looked around for their leader, expecting to see him already there and ready to go.

"Where's the Colonel?" Sam asked Daniel. Daniel only shrugged and said that he didn't know. Sam smiled. "And he blames me when I'm late." Sam remarked as she walked away, smiling. Sam went in search for O'Neill, starting in the Control Room and ending up in the locker room. He was sitting on a bench looking at pictures of the family he once had. His son, Charlie and wife Sara. It tore at Sam's heart to see him like this. She felt bad for him. "Sir?" Sam asked carefully. "Sir, we're ready to go. Are you okay, Colonel?"

Jack looked up at the concern in Sam's voice and tried to smile. Sam noticed that his eyes were red, like he had been crying. She saw that he was upset.

"I talk to Sara last night," Jack said. "Before I came to see you. She's getting remarried, Sam." Jack blurted out, trying to cry again. Sam knew that Jack still loved his ex-wife, but he had tried to move on the best that he could. At least she thought he had.

"I'm sorry, Jack." Sam said simply, not knowing what to say at a moment like this. "I wish there was something that I could do for you." She offered, trying to be the supportive friend that he had come to respect. Jack looked at her and smiled weakly.

"Thanks, Carter. I appreciate that a lot." Jack said, obviously turning down her offer, whatever it was. He grasped Sam's right hand and brought it to his lips, kissing her palm, then her fingertips and finally back to her palm. Sam sat there, not knowing what to do. Jack looked at her and grinned and apology. Sam blushed. She had never seen Jack like this before, she was beginning to worry. She begged to herself that he'd continue. Jack must have read her thoughts, because he turned so that he was sitting with both legs on either side of the bench, facing Sam. He took Sam's face in his gentle hands. He looked into her bright blue eyes, searching. Sam was doing her own searching into his chocolate brown eyes. In that moment, Sam's whole world was about to change. Jack leaned down, placed his lips on hers, and kissed her with a sense of wanting and needing. Sam fell into him and gave him what he was asking for, knowing it was wrong, but she didn't care at the moment. She wanted him.

When they finally came up for air, Sam looked at Jack with a questioning look. Jack didn't want to talk, but he answered her question. "I'm moving on, Sam. I finally figured out that Sara and I weren't meant to be together anymore." Jack said, sounding sort of reluctant. Sam just smiled. She hoped it meant what she thought it meant, but she wasn't going to hold her breath. "I want to be with you, Sam." Jack said, confirming her wishes. "I love you, Samantha Carter." he finished, then leaned down and kissed her. Suddenly they heard a familiar voice at the door.

"Um..I hate to um, break up your date...but we do have a mission to complete." Daniel said, grinning. //Well it's about time, Jack.\\ Daniel thought to himself. He had hoped that Jack would find someone, even Carter. He'd wanted Jack to move on with his life, ever since he found out about Sara leaving Jack when Daniel came back from Abydos. Now Jack was happy. "Let's go!" Daniel urged, sounding like a little kid on a fieldtrip. Jack rolled his eyes, yet was smiling about the way Daniel got excited. He and Sam walked out of the room and headed to the Gate Room.

Walking into the Gate Room, O'Neill, Carter, and Jackson saw Major General George Hammond standing at the end of the ramp with his arms crossed.

"Sorry, Sir." Jack apologised. "I needed a few minutes." The general waved it off and told SG-1 to have a safe "trip" to the planet. The 'gate was putting out a low resonating hum as the gate spun and locked onto the last glyph. The event horizon oozed out and snapped back, creating a flat, verticle wall of water. SG-1 walked through it to their destination, P3X 985.

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

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to P three X niner eight five." Jack O'Neill joked, making Daniel roll his eyes and Sam laugh. Teal'c remained stoic, as always. Looking around, Sam saw no evidence of Goa'uld activity, either recent nor past. It looked like a deserted planet. That was until Sam was hit by a staff weapon blast. She was hit in the left shoulder. Jack yelled her name and ran to determine Carter's wounds and see if she was alive. Teal'c and Daniel laid down cover fire while Jack took care of Sam.

"C'mon, Carter. Wake up." Jack pleaded. "I can't lose you now, dammit!" Jack shouted. Sam looked into his eyes with tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Colonel," Sam gasped, losing her breath. "I'm sorry I let you down again. I love you, Jack." Sam said, taking one last breath and letting out before slipping into an eternal slumber. Sam's body went limp in Jack's strong arms.

"NOOOO!!!!" Jack screamed in pain and anger. Jack held Sam close to him, rocking back and forth, not wanting to let her go. Jack had just gotten this close to her. Why lose her now? He didn't understand the logic of it. //That's so Carter, Jack.\\ he thought to himself. Daniel watched as he saw the torment in his friend. Daniel didn't know how to make it right. Suddenly Jack, Daniel and Teal'c were surrounded by Horus guards, not to mention a few Serpent guards as well.

//Must be Hator again.\\ Daniel thought. //Only Hathor had mixed guards.\\ Then Daniel's thoughts and nightmare was answered. Hathor came walking out of the treeline with a guard on each side of her.

"We meet again, My Love." Hathor said in her Goa'uld voice. This sent shivers down Daniel's spine. He hated her with a passion. Daniel regreted even meeting Hathor. It almost got Jack turned into a Jaffa twice and Sam killed by the ribbon device that Hathor wears.

"Go to hell, Hathor." Daniel spat out with disgust. Hathor grinned evily. "It'll be a cold day in hell before I love you, bitch." Daniel turned away and looked at Sam's limp form. Jack had his back to Hathor and was crying against Sam's neck. When Jack heard Hathor's voice, Jack snapped.

"YOU, SON OF A BITCH!!!!" Jack yelled in rage and fury. He wanted to avenge Carter's death. "I oughta kill you myself, Hathor." Jack said. He charged toward her, only to be stopped by the guards. He fought against them, but exausted his energy. He quit fighting and was pushed away from Hathor. O'Neill had the look of murder and death in his eyes. //Just you wait, Hathor.\\ Jack thought. //You're gonna die, bitch.\\ He promised Sam.

Suddenyly, Daniel, Jack, Teal'c and Sam's body were engulfed in a bright, white light. When Jack woke up, he looked around at his surroundings, which were awefully familiar, and noticed that Daniel and Teal'c were unconscious. Then he noticed that Sam's body was nowhere to be seen. Jack started to wonder what the hell was going on. //Sam, I'm sorry.\\ Jack thought sadly. //I couldn't save your life. I'm sorry, Carter.\\

"We welcome you back." said a calm, soft voice. Turning around, Jack looked into the large, black eyes of the Asguard leader, Thor. The last time that Jack had seen them, they told him that Earth was on it's way to becoming the 'Fifth Race' of aliens. Jack still didn't understand it all, but they helped with a treaty. //Ya gotta love those guys.\\ Jack thought with a grin.

"Thank you." Jack replied. "Why did you bring us here?" Jack asked curiously. Knowing that Carter was missing didn't make him feel any better.

"We are healing your friend." Thor said, obviously reading Jack's thoughts and feelings. "She will be fine. She calls for you now, O'Neill." Thor extended its hand and O'Neill took it. Thor led Jack to what must have been an infirmary and that's when he saw Sam on a bed.

He walked to her side, taking her small, delicate hand in his. He noticed that her wound was covered and she was breathing on her own again. Jack released a breath that he had been holding. Thor ushered out the other Asguards, knowing that Jack wanted to be alone with Carter.

"I'm sorry, Sam." Jack said, trying to be strong, in case she could hear him or was awake. "I couldn't save you. With all my heart I couldn't save you. I love you too, Sam. I always will." Jack said, trying to stiffle the body racking sobs that threatened to explode inside his chest.

"Your love is true, O'Neill." Thor said. "She will be completely healed by your affection." Jack only looked at Thor, confused.

"The truest of loves is proven in a kiss." Thor replied. "Only then will she be complete." Jack suddenly knew what Thor was saying. //But that's only in fairy tales.\\ Jack thought.

"Uh, a little privacy, please." Jack asked Thor. Thor nodded and left the little room. Jack looked down at Sam's frail and tired body, a tear escaping Jack's eyes. The tear fell on Sam's cheek and rolled down onto the pillow.

He leaned down and kissed his princess's lips, hoping that it worked. Pulling away, Jack noticed that Sam's eyes began to flutter and finally opened.

"Hey there, Major." Jack said. "Have a nice nap?" he asked jokingly. Sam sat up and hugged him tightly. Jack held her tight as well, not wanting to let go.

"I feel great, Sir." Sam replied. "Where are we?" she asked obviously confused and not liking her new surroundings. Jack told her that he'd tell her later. He took her back to the room that he had found himself in and found that Daniel and Teal'c were conscious. They were not happy either.

"Uh, Jack, where have you been?" Daniel asked. Teal'c just stood there watching the interaction. "We thought that you were taken away for torture or...." Daniel stopped mid-sentence when he saw Sam emerge from behind Jack. "Sam." Daniel whispered in shock before passing out. Jack and Sam laughed, while Teal'c tried to understand this behavior. Teal'c did not always understand the Taur'ie. But he had befriended them when he turned against Apophis to join them against the fight.

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

Hathor was walking around her throne room in a rage. She was throwing her goblets, jewelry, and anything else that was within reach of the angry Goa'uld. The Serpent and Horus guards that were in the room, ducked out of her way.

"I want the traitorous bastards found! NOW!" Hathor yelled ferociously. "Kill them if you have to, but I want the female brought to me." she finished angrily. The Jaffa soldiers bowed to their queen and left the room in a hurry. Hathor hit a button on her console, which played a holographic image.

** "I wonder," the Hathor image said. "Which one of you shall it be?" She reached her hand into a Jaffa's pouch and pulled out a fully grown, mature Goa'uld symbiot. Jack looked away, disgusted, Daniel just stared at Hathor in distain, while Sam closed her eyes and prayed silently that it wouldn't chose her. Hathor saw Sam's expression and walked up to them. She stopped at Daniel first. When she got to Sam, Hathor waved the Goa'uld in her face, smiling. "How about you," Hathor said evily. "Would you serve us?" Jack could only hope that Hathor didn't chose Sam. Suddenly Jack had a plan.

"Ok." Jack said in surrender. "I'll do it. I'll be that things host." Jack said in hatred for the things. Sam looked shocked, while Daniel looked worried.

"Sir," Sam said, suddenly scared. "You can't. I won't let you." Jack put a hand on Sam's shoulder as if to say good-bye. Sam just shook her head in disbelief. Hathor was about to let the Goa'uld go inside Jack when, at the same time, he grabbed it and threw it behind him. The symbiot slithered off to a dark corner. This put Hathor into a rage. She ordered them locked up and Jack restrained. When this was done, Jack was then given the symbiot. Sam watched in horror as the parasite entered his body through the back of his neck. //Dammit, Jack! Why?\\ Sam thought silently, knowing Daniel was thinking the same thing as her. **

Hathor watched the rest of the scene with preverse joy and pleasure. She watched as the screen showed the Tok'Ra sholva preventing the blending of the symbiot and O'Neill. Hathor then watched as she tried to kill the one called Carter with the ribbon device. Suddenly Jack threw Hathor over the railing and into the cryo pit. Jack and Sam hugged for what had seemed like an eternity, then Hathor shut the images off. Hathor wanted her revenge on Carter, and if that meant bringing her back to life to get it, so be it.

She slammed her fist down on the control panel and yelled in angry frustration. //Damn that Carter woman. She won the last round, but this time I will be victorious.\\ Hathor thought.

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

"HATHOR!" Sam shouted. "I thought you killed Hathor!" Sam said, her voice getting louder along with her anger. She had watched Jack throw Hathor into the pit. Jack put his hands on her shoulders to try and calm her down, which was having no effect. Sam wanted, no demanded, to know how Hathor had survived.

"Carter, she's a Goa'uld," Jack tried to explain. "She can do things like that. You should know that from your Jolinar memories." Jack said, bring back the name of the Tok'Ra that had taken Carter over about a year and a half ago. He watched as Sam paced the floor of the Asguard ship.

"Well, she can't live while I'm still here." Sam said in anger and rage. "I won't allow it, Jack." Sam went back to pacing the floor. Jack, who was getting dizzy watching her, grabbed Sam by the waist and pulled her close to him. He held her face like he had a few hours ago. He leaned down and kissed her, hoping that it would take her mind off of Hathor for a while. It must have worked, because Sam responded the way he had wanted her to. She wrapped her arms around his neck and brought him closer. Jack submitted to her wishes. He would always grant her wishes. They didn't want it to end. Jack looked at her and smiled. Sam smiled back and hugged him tighter than she had before. She was afraid of losing him to Hathor again. //She's gonna die.\\ Sam thought in both promise and in threat.

Sam and Jack had decided to lay down on a slab of metal and try to get some sleep. When Sam had finally fallen asleep, Jack looked down at Sam to make sure that she hadn't woken up when he jolted awake a few seconds ago. Jack released his embrace on her and walked over to what could have been a window. He had had that dream again. The one were Hathor tried to make him a host. Twice. //Good thing Carter was there.\\ Jack thought. //She saved my life. Again. Yet I let her die. What is wrong with this picture?\\ Jack sighed and turned to face Sam's sleeping form. She was sleeping better than he was lately.

"You're wrong, my friend." Thor said. "Your love for her saved her life."

Jack could only stare at him, her, it. Whatever it was. Sam had woken up and was staring at the alien.

"You're Thor's race," Sam said excitedly. "You're Thor, right?" The small, grey Asguard nodded. It extended a thin hand, which Sam shook gently.

"I am glad to see that you have recovered completely, Samantha Carter." Thor stated. Sam looked surprised that it knew her name. "We are a telepathic race. We can read your thoughts." This surprised Jack.

"Well do me a favor," Jack said jokingly. "Stay outta my head will ya? I have things that aren't meant for you." Jack ended with a grin on his face. Sam was smiling.

"Is there a name that we can call you?" Sam asked curiously. Jack grinned.

"Yeah, we wouldn't want to call you, 'Hey you!' the whole trip. Would we?"

The last part of the question was directed to Sam, who shrugged her shoulders.

"Thor will be fine," Thor said. "Unfortunately in your tongue, our names cannot be pronounced." the little alien said, trying to smile as well. Jack just grinned and Sam tried to stiffle a giggle.

"If I may ask, Thor," Sam said, after regaining her composure. "Where are you taking us?" she asked, trying to look out the same window that Jack had been looking out of, only to get sick to her stomach seeing the stars wizzing by.

"We are returning you to Taur'ie," Thor replied. "You are safe with us, thanks to Colonel O'Neill and the treaty." Jack acted like he had been given a great honor, only to be elbowed in the ribs by Sam, who was grinning.

"What about Hathor?" Sam said suddenly, remembering she wanted revenge.

"What will happen to her?" Thor looked at Sam and then Jack.

"She will be found, taken to Sumaria and put into Thor's Hammer. She will be destroyed." Thor said simply.

Sam and Jack remembered the Hammer device and how it almost killed Teal'c. Jack and Teal'c worked together to kill an UNAS, which, according to Teal'c was the first to host a Goa'uld. After destroying the Hammer, SG-1 returned to Earth. A few months afterward, Gerwin had sent a message through the Stargate and SG-1 found out that the Goa'uld had attack her planet. After a slight battle, the Hammer device was re-built and made an exception for Teal'c. Somehow Thor made the Hammer where it would not take Teal'c again.

"Carter!" Jack said, snapping Sam out of her daydream. "Let's go. We're home." Jack held out his hand. Sam put her hand in his and walked to the Asguard bridge. They waved good-bye and Thor sent SG-1 back to Earth. When SG-1 found that they were in the Gate Room, they dropped their gear and went to the showers. They knew that General Hammond would want to debrief ASAP, but the general gave them some time to sleep and get rested. Sam and Jack agreed to go to their own quarters, so not to raise any questions.

At 1530, Carter, O'Neill, Jackson and Teal'c sat around the table in their usual spots. Daniel sat next to Teal'c on one side, while Sam sat next to Jack on the other side. What Daniel and Teal'c didn't see, was that Jack and Sam were holding hands under the table top. The debriefing wasn't supposed to start until 1545, so that gave them time to talk. Suddenly, General Hammond walked into the room, making Sam and Jack stand at attention. He waved them down to sit.

"Let's get this briefing underway." the general stated sternly. "Colonel, you may begin." Hammond finished. O'Neill began telling what happened on P3X 985, but he left out the part about Sam being shot and killed. At that point, Daniel's head shot up, as well as Sam's and Teal'c's. But no one said anything. When the debriefing was over, Jack and the others left the room and decided to rest some more. That's when Sam remembered what Thor had said.

"Colonel!" Sam shouted as Jack walked away. "What if we went to Sumaria? Thor said that he was taking Hathor there, Sir." Sam concluded, sounding interested to see Hathor get what she deserves. Jack smiled and told her, Daniel and Teal'c to gear up. He would talk to Hammond about going. Daniel, Sam and Teal'c didn't need to be told twice. They ran off to the locker rooms to get changed and grab their gear. After they were done, they ran to the Gate Room and waited for Jack, who arrived a few minutes later with his gear in hand. After the last glyph was locked in place, the event horizon was made and SG-1 ran through before Hammond could say that they had a go.

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

When Gerwin saw the Great Circle shine in the center, she hoped that is wasn't foe coming through. Being ever so cautious, she unsheathed her sword and prepared for a fight. When three men and a woman came through, she instantly recognised her friends from Mitguard, the home world.

"Hail and welcome, my kin." Gerwin greeted happily. "What brings you here?" she asked, concern evident in her voice. Gerwin hoped that it wasn't the Etons again. She didn't think that Sumaria had enough warriors for another fight.

"Hail, Gerwin," Daniel greeted in return. "We're here for a... uh..." Daniel couldn't think of the right word to use.

"Celebration." Jack interjected. Daniel smiled and nodded. "The death of an Eton, Gerwin." Jack said, trying to sound like Daniel for once.

"The death of an Eton?" Gerwin repeated. "This will be joyous news among my clan. I will spread the word to other clans." Jack put his hands up, palms facing Gerwin.

"Whoa, slow down." Jack said. "Thor's the one giving this celebration. I thought you might want to know." he said grinning. While Jack informed Gerwin of which Eton it was, Sam had walked up beside Jack and took his left hand in her right. This didn't pass Gerwin's eyes. She saw everything. Well, almost everything. Gerwin guessed that somehow these two friends of hers had gotten closer together since she last saw them. After the Eton's death, she promised herself that she would hold a gathering for her friends. They would eat, drink, and tell stories of legends long past.

Suddenly, the small group heard the sound of a low rumble. Looking up, they saw Thor's Chariot dropping out of the clouds. The shop lowered a little more and then deposited Thor, Hathor and a few Asguard guards down on the ground. Hathor was in chains of strong steel or iron, Sam thought. Hathor tried to break them, but could not. Even the symbiot couldn't make her break them.

"About time the Wicked Witch of the East died." Jack said, refering to the movie "Wizard Of Oz." Sam stood there holding Jack's hand. She squeezed it, like she was trying to remind herself that Jack was her new lover. Feeling this, Jack unlaced his fingers from Sam's and put his arm around her waist. Daniel watched this action, but said nothing. Neither did Teal'c or Gerwin.

"Almighty Thor," Gerwin greeted in the traditional way of her people. "Our friends from Mitguard wish to watch this Eton's death. May they join us?" Gerwin asked with strict disipline. Thor nodded its head and the group followed the Asguard and Hathor to the Hammer device. When they arrived at the device, Thor began his execution speech.

"My followers," Thor began. "This Eton has been found guilty of murderous crimes and experimenting with illegal technology, therefore, she shall be sentenced to death by the Hammer of Thor."

There were murmers and whispering within the group of Sumarians. SG-1 watched as Hathor was walked up to the Hammer. When she was a foot away, she was asked if she had anything to say. Hathor said nothing, she only looked evily toward Sam and Jack. Thor looked around the group and finally pointed to Carter. Carter looked at Jack confused. Jack shrugged. Thor walked up to Sam and took her hand, pulling her toward Hathor. Then Thor spoke again.

"This Taur'ie has been chosen as the giver of Hathor's death. She has proven to me and the Asguard Fleet that she has a logical reason to kill this Eton. Are there objections from my followers?" Thor asked. He recieved no objections. He turned to Carter.

"By choice of the Sumarians and the Asguard Fleet, you are the chosen one."

Thor explained. Sam looked at Jack and Daniel for some kind of response, but only got stares of respect.

"To honor my kin," Sam said, trying to stay neutral. "I will do as Thor asks of me. I will kill this Eton and you will be free of her destruction and evil ways." Sam finished and looked at Jack, shrugging.

Sam put her hands on Hathor's shoulders and she didn't fight back, which was wierd to Sam. //I'm so sorry, Hathor.\\ Sam thought in guilty silence. Sam drew a deep breath and pushed Hathor in the doorway, then stepping back, Sam and the rest of the group watched as Hathor began to shake and convulse in obvious pain. Jack put his hands on Sam's shoulders, then wrapped his arms around her in comfort. The Hammer device shut down and they watched as the host slumped to the ground. Sam was out of Jack's embrace and checked on the person that was laying on the ground. She felt a pulse and saw that the woman was coming around. The woman was still young, not old looking like when Apophis was dying and his symbiot had already died. The woman looked up into Carter's eyes. Her own eyes began to fill with tears that were long trapped.

"Where am I?" she asked, her accent sounding like Australian. "What am I doing here?" she was apparently confused and curious at the same time.

"I'm Samantha Carter," Sam said cautiously. "These are my friends, Jack, Daniel, Teal'c and Gerwin." Sam replied, pointing to each person as she said thier names. "Hathor" looked at each one. Her eyes grew wide when she saw the little gray alien. She smiled at them. Thor held up a hand and disappeared. "Hathor" was back to her human self now, Sam hoped.

"My name is Atalia," she replied in return, giving them a name to work with.

"Thank you for finding me. I was living a nightmare." Atalia seemed to thankful for a rescue she knew nothing about. At least that's what SG-1 thought. Atalia seemed to be looking for something. She looked at Jack and smiled, but it disappeared when she couldn't find what she was looking for.

"Where is the Chaapa'ii?" Atalia asked, concerned. "I only wish to return to my world and see my family." she said. Jack, Sam and the rest of the small group took Atalia to the Stargate. While walking to the Stargate, however, she told SG-1 and Gerwin of the people, customs, and traditions of her world. When they reached the gate, Daniel dialed up the coordinates that Atalia pointed to. When Daniel was done he looked up into Atalia's haunting brown eyes. She looked at him with concern and guilt.

"You will find her, Daniel." she said, taking Daniel by surprise. "You will find your wife, Sha're. I promise you. And Skaara too." This name took Jack by surprise. Sam looked confused. Daniel nodded and watched as Atalia walked up to the gate. With her back to SG-1, Atalia looked at the event horizon with glowing eyes, then walked through. After the gate shut down, Gerwin invited SG-1 back to enclave of huts to celebrate. Not only Hathor's death, but Jack and Sam's new lives, unbeknownst to Jack and the rest of SG-1.

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

They had spent the entire afternoon celebrating, but now it was getting dark and none of SG-1 wanted to leave just yet. So it was agreed that they would stay the night. Gerwin showed Jack and Sam to one hut, while one of Gerwin's clan showed Daniel and Teal'c to another hut. Daniel was about to object when Jack held up a finger to interrupt him.

"AH! Don't argue Daniel. Go. I have to talk to Carter anyway. I don't need you or Teal'c to talk to Sam." Jack stated. "GOOD-NIGHT, Daniel." Jack said sharply when Daniel tried to talk again. Giving up, Daniel said his good-nights to Jack and Sam and left with Teal'c.

When Jack and Sam were left alone, Sam grabbed a blanket off the bed and laid down on the ground. This knocked Jack off his feet for a second.

//Must be that military, no dating the CO, can't have him stipulation thing again.\\ Jack thought silently. He noticed that Sam was staring at him. He cocked his head to one side.

"What!?" Jack asked feining innocence. "What did I do now?" he said, quoting Sam a few days before. Sam stood up and walked up to him, putting her arms around his neck.

"I want you, Jack." Sam said, repeating the words that she had said some time ago. She was getting ready to pounce him, so he took the first move. He grasped Sam by the waist with his right arm, held her face with his left hand and kissed her with an intense passion. Sam felt like she was going to explode from sheer joy. Her senses were going into overload. Jack placed his right hand on the other side of her face, deepening the kiss. Sam slowly eased them onto the bed, trying not to break the contact. Jack followed easily. He began to remove her field jacket and the rest of her uniform. Sam followed suit. She was glad that she was able to do this away from the watchful eye of the military. //Thank God for the Stargate.\\ Sam thought humorously to herself.

Jack lay over Sam, trailing kisses down one side of her neck and up the other, only to meet with her soft, pink lips again. Sam ran her hands over Jack's back and lightly dusted chest. Jack had a light grip on Sam's hair while he kissed her. For minutes they teased and taunted each other. Sam felt her energy expand and get ready to burst. Jack wanted Sam more now than ever before. He and Sam exploded at the same time. This day would be remembered. Jack was now laying on his back, with Sam laying beside him on his left.

"I love you, Sam," Jack said, stopping to look at her. "I want to ask you something. But you don't have to answer now." He said quickly. Sam had moved her head so that she could look at him.

"What is it, Jack?" Sam asked, suddenly getting scared, or rather, worried.

Jack sighed and made his usual 'I don't like this situation' face. "Whadya say we give this relationship thing a go ahead?" Jack asked, closing his eyes in silent hope. Sam only smiled and kissed his ear.

"I thought you'd never ask, Hero." Sam joked. "I'd marry you, but that'll have to wait." Jack looked at her like she was serious. He saw in her eyes that she was. //Oh, boy!\\ Jack thought suddenly.

The next morning, SG-1 packed up their gear and said good-bye to Gerwin and her clan. They walked up the path to the Stargate. When they got there, Daniel dialed home while Teal'c transmitted the Iris code. Jack pulled Sam aside and told her that marriage was a possibility. He kissed her so deeply, Sam thought that they may have a repeat of last night. Then he pulled away when Daniel said it was time to go. He pulled Sam with him through the event horizon towards home, where thier lives would begin.

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

FIVE MONTHS LATER

Jack slipped the gold band onto her finger, seeing how well it went with the small diamond ring. He repeated the words spoken by the priest. "With this ring, I, Jack O'Neill, take you, Samantha Carter as my wife for now and always." Jack said, trying to hold back his tears. The priest turned to Sam and she repeated the same thing.

"With this ring, I, Samantha Carter, do take you, Jack O'Neill as my husband for now and always. In death and in life." Jack looked surprised when she added the last words. //How true.\\ Jack thought. Jack leaned down and kissed his new wife. When she looked up, Sam noticed that a tear had run down Jack's cheek and smiled. He smiled back and took her hand, turning towards their guests and families. Sam noticed that her dad, Jacob, was sitting in the pew next to General Hammond and Janet Fraiser. Janet couldn't stop from crying. Sam laughed and walked toward the doors with Jack. Outside, Daniel, Teal'c and a few other people from the SGC stood on either side of the sidewalk and waited for Jack and Sam. Teal'c held the rice in his large hands and looked at Daniel confused.

"I do not understand this ritual, DanielJackson." Teal'c stated. Daniel looked at the large built Jaffa and smiled.

"You throw this in the air when Jack and Sam walk out, but don't hit them with it. You'll see. Just do what do, Teal'c." Daniel tried to explain. Teal'c nodded slightly and then grinned when he saw his friends emerge from the church. Doing what Daniel had done, Teal'c threw the rice in the air and watched as Jack and Sam rode away. //This is a most joyous day.\\ Teal'c thought happily for his two friends.

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

That night, after intense love-making, Sam and Jack talked about Gerwin and the celebration she had for SG-1. Sam was convinced that Gerwin had something to do with it, while Jack thought it was Thor. Sam didn't care, she was with the one man that she loved. And Jack loved her. There was no doubt in his, or her, mind.

"I love you, Jack O'Neill." Sam said sleepily. Jack was caressing her soft blonde hair, tucking it behind her left ear. Jack's breathing was a deep comfort for Sam. Jack sighed. He didn't think he'd ever be this happy again, but he had been proven wrong by Carter again. Sam did something to him that Sara never did. He was glad that he had decided to move on with his life. He was happier now that he had included Sam in his life.

"I love you too, Samantha O'Neill." he said to Sam's now sleeping form. He embraced Sam closer to him, never to let her go. "I love you." he said, trying to convince himself that it wasn't a dream. He promised himself that he wouldn't let anything happen to her now or ever again. Jack was asleep in a few minutes, dreaming of his future with Sam and their family.

THE END?