"Dark Side Of The Mirror" by Arla

Title: Dark Side Of The Mirror

Author: Arla

Rating: M ( suggestion of rape; violence, strong language)

Classification: Sam/Jack Romance; angst

Spoilers:

Archive: Sam and Jack Relationship Archive; Heliopolis My site. Everyone else please ask first.

Disclaimer: Gekko, Double Secret and MGM own it all. I am merely playing in the SG-1 sandbox and will return all, including pails and shovels, when I am done.

Summary:. Daniel writes in his journal of his experience in an Alternate Universe and the events that affected the lives of AU Sam and AU Jack.

Notes: Thanks go to my beta reader Alli :o) This story is told in both first person (Daniel's journal entries) and third person.

*******

The tale I will now tell may seem to you to be a strange one. Two years ago was the first time I stumbled into an alternate universe, discovering both its similarities and its differences. Since that time we have discovered that there are an infinite number of these parallel worlds, some vastly different from our own and others eerily similar. It is of my experience in one of these universes that I now write. I had asked for, and was given permission to step through the Quantum Mirror in order to study one of these alternates and in the process perhaps learn something that will help us in our fight with the Goa'uld.

The world I arrived in was very different from my own. Once I explained where I was from and the purpose of my visit I was welcomed and learned that my counterpart on this world had been killed on a mission several months previous.

There were also several similarities to my own world; General Hammond was in charge of the SGC and Jack O'Neill was the C.O of SG-1. This was also another world where he had been able to convince Teal'c to join our fight. That was where the similarities ended.

Sam, although a member of the SGC, was not on SG-1 and I was extremely surprised to find that she was married to Captain Jonas Hanson. At first they appeared the perfect, happy couple with a beautiful 4 year old child named Molly. I was wrong. I was to learn many things in my two weeks there and among them was the fact that in this world Sam and Jack were having an adulterous affair. When I found out I voiced my displeasure, although I knew Sam and Jack were meant to be together. Hell I've even tried to get them together in my own world but I never thought of Sam as one to break her marriage vows, or even Jack, knowing as I do how they both feel about marriage. That was before I learned of the hellish nightmare that Sam was living in. Her affair with Jack and her little girl were the only bright spots in her world. What I tell now I was able to gather from my own participation and also from conversations with those involved. I haven't yet decided whether or not I will share this tale with *my* Sam and Jack. That is something I will have to think hard about before I make my decision.

I begin this story, three days into my arrival on their world and at the beginning of the horrible chain of events that would follow.

~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~

Captain Samantha Hanson pushed her dark sunglasses back on her nose as she stepped off the elevator and moved down the hall to her base quarters. Thank God Jonas was off on a mission, for she didn't feel like facing him today, especially after last night. She shivered and pushed the thought away as she opened her door and stepped inside.

As she closed the door and moved towards the bed she was grabbed from behind and she gave a startled shriek before recognizing the voice in her ear.

"Morning beautiful." Jack's voice rumbled playfully as he pressed a kiss to the skin behind her ear.

"God, Jack you scared the hell out of me! What if Jonas had been here?" she stated in a half-indignant voice.

"I'm sorry and I knew he wasn't. I watched him leave through the Stargate not ten minutes ago. Am I forgiven?" He whispered in her ear.

"I suppose so." Sam replied and turned in his embrace.

Jack frowned when he saw the dark glasses she wore. "What happened?" he asked.

"It's nothing." she quickly replied.

But Jack wasn't convinced and gently slipped the glasses from her face. He swore when he saw the bruise that covered the right half of her face. "I'll kill that no-good Bastard!" he raged.

"No." Sam stated softly and pressed silencing fingers to his lips. "He's not worth it Jack."

"Tell me what happened." he asked softly and rested a gentle hand against her sore cheek. "What set him off this time?"

An embarrassed flush crept over her face and she mumbled something Jack didn't quite hear.

"What?" he questioned softly and Sam lifted her head.

"Last night, Jonas wanted...he wanted to have sex. I didn't want to and so....he..." she stopped and tears formed in her eyes. "He.." she couldn't finish.

"That son of a bitch forced himself on you?" Jack questioned his voice low and deadly dangerous.

"Yes.." Sam nodded and couldn't hold back her tears any longer.

Jack pulled her into a tight comforting embrace. "It's okay Sammy." he soothed softly stroking her hair. "I'll take care of you. I promise he won't hurt you ever again."

She cried on his shoulder for a moment longer then Jack took her face in his hands.

"You and Molly are getting out of that house tonight. You'll come to my place."

"I can't..." she started.

"Sam..."

"No, Jack I can't leave him until I'm sure Molly will be safe. I have to make sure that he can't take her from me. I won't have my baby living with him without me there to protect her. I've seen a lawyer and she's drawing up papers to give me full custody and until I have them I can't leave him."

"How long?"

"A few more days, a week at the most." Sam told him as she brushed the tears from her cheeks.

"All right." Jack nodded.

"You'd better go before someone sees you and tells Jonas." she stated softly.

"Okay." Jack nodded then leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips. "I love you." he whispered softly.

"I love you too." Sam replied and watched as he moved to the door and slipped out into the hallway.

Jack turned around and ended up face to face with Daniel Jackson. "You know Jack, I didn't think you were the type of man to screw around with another man's wife." Daniel stated disappointedly.

"You don't know squat Daniel." Jack retorted vehemently.

"Perhaps not, but the Jack in my world..."

"But I'm not the Jack of your world, am I? You've only been here three days and you think you can judge me. You have no right, especially since you have no clue what is going on here?"

"Well why don't you tell me then. Tell me...." Daniel began and when the door behind them opened he looked away from Jack and gasped.

"Good God Sam what happened?" he stated when he saw her face.

"Come inside Daniel and we'll tell you." Sam said quietly and motioned them both back inside.

Once Daniel was seated in a chair, Sam sat next to Jack on the bed. He took her hand, squeezing it tenderly.

"Are you going to tell Jonas?" Sam asked Daniel softly.

"That depends on what you have to say. Did he do that to you?"

"Yes. Jonas has been abusive almost from the first day we were married. At first I kept it to myself, never told anyone my dirty little secret. Here I was an intelligent woman, with several degrees who knew that I should have walked out the first time he hit me, but I just couldn't. Then Molly came and it was impossible for me to leave after that. For years I never told anyone then one day I let it slip to Jack what was happening. He was a friend when I desperately needed someone to listen to me. We never set out to have an affair, we never meant to fall in love it just happened. You don't know what it's like..." Sam paused, choking back a sob. "You don't know what it's like when all you've known is hurt and pain to have someone who is gentle and loving. The only peace in my life are the times I spend with Jack and my little girl," she finished softly.

"I understand. Thank you for sharing this with me, and no, I won't say anything to Jonas. Your secret is safe with me." Daniel told them quietly.

"Thank you." Sam replied with a smile then she asked. "Did your Sam marry Jonas?"

"No she didn't." Daniel told them. "The Sam in my world isn't married."

"She's very lucky."

"Oh, I don't know about that." Daniel stated with a soft smile.

"Why do you say that?" Sam asked him.

"Because in my world Sam and Jack haven't *found* each other so I'd say in that aspect you both are far more lucky." Daniel finished as he got up and slipped from the room.

~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~

That meeting opened my eyes to the differences between our two worlds, how one decision can change the course of a person's life. In my world Sam Carter found out what type of man Jonas Hanson was and broke off their engagement and so has lived an entirely different life from the Sam of this world.

I told Jack and Sam that the secret of their forbidden love affair was safe in my hands and I meant it. I guess I'm a closet romantic because I believed that those two people were soul mates and belonged together, despite all obstacles and that is true in all of the universes where Sam

and Jack are.

That day was also the start of what could only be called a nightmare for Jack and Sam, for neither of them knew just how far Jonas Hanson would go to keep her. When I think back on it now, I shudder at the knowledge of the lives that were destroyed because of one man's possessiveness and hatred.

~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~

Sam groaned when the alarm clock rang and intruded into her sleep. She rolled over to silence it and lay for a moment in the blissful quiet before throwing back the covers and slipping from bed. She showered and changed before stepping from the bedroom to get Molly ready for pre-school. Jonas' door was closed as she passed and Sam assumed he was still sleeping. She moved to Molly's bedroom at the end of the hallway and pushed open the door.

"Hey, Mollykins time to get up sweetie." Sam called as she stepped into the room.

Several emotions hit her at once when she saw her daughter's empty bed. Sam fought down her panic and quickly searched her daughter's usual hide and seek spots: the closet, under the bed, the bathroom behind the shower curtain. When a search of the house produced no sign of her child Sam raced up the stairs to her husband's bedroom and burst inside.

"What the hell do you want?!" Jonas barked.

"Molly's gone." Sam told him in a panic stricken voice.

"She's probably just playing hide and seek." Jonas muttered as he pushed back the covers.

"I've already searched the house. She's not here."

"And what do you expect me to do about it?" he growled as he got out of bed.

"God, Jonas, she's your daughter."

"Is she?" he glared at her.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sam retorted.

"She's probably not even mine. Belongs to your lover O'Neill." When Jonas saw the look of fear and panic in her eyes he laughed. "You think I don't know? There's nothing you can keep from me, my sweet," he began as he crossed the room and stopped inches from her. "Do what you want, just as long as you remember that you belong to me. I own your soul and I'm never going to let you go. Try to leave and I'll kill your lover then I'll kill you." He threatened before stepping away and heading for the bathroom.

Sam took a deep breath to calm the pounding of her heart before rushing back to her bedroom to call the police.

An hour later the house was filled with police and concerned friends. Sam watched Jonas and couldn't stop the flash of anger at his performance. With an audience he was the perfect picture of the worried and grief stricken father.

Sam turned away from him and met a warm brown gaze filled with compassion.

"How you holding up?" Jack asked softly.

"Not too well." Sam replied in a whisper and fought back her tears. "I'm afraid, Jack. What if..."

"Don't even think that." Jack told her quietly.

"Mrs. Hanson?"

Sam turned at the sound of the voice and saw a police detective standing beside her.

"Yes."

"I'd like to go over your statement again, just to sure we have the details right."

"Of course." Sam nodded.

"Now you said you put Molly to bed at eight o'clock."

"Yes and I checked on her just before I went to bed at midnight. She was fine then."

"Okay, and your husband, was he home at the time?"

"No. I don't know what time Jonas got home. I remember hearing the sound of the door but I'm not exactly sure what time."

"All right, and did you hear anything else that seemed out of place?"

"No, Molly's bedroom is at the end of the hall and I took something for a headache and was asleep. I didn't hear a thing. Molly usually comes to me if there is anything wrong." she told the detective in a teary voice.

"All right, thank you Mrs. Hanson. We'll call you if we have any news or more questions."

Sam merely nodded and when the detective had moved away Jack steered Sam over to the sofa and sat down beside her. When Jack looked up he saw Jonas glaring at them from across the room.

"What's his problem?" He muttered, not really expecting an answer.

"He knows." Sam told him quietly.

"He knows what?"

"He knows about us, Jack." Sam told him as she looked into his eyes and Jack could see the fear there.

"God, how did he find out?"

"I don't know. He told me this morning and said if I ever left him that he would kill you."

"Don't you worry about me I can take care of myself. I'm more worried about what he'll do to you." Jack stated softly.

Sam nodded and then she gripped his hand in hers holding it tightly. "Ever since he told me this morning I haven't been able to stop thinking that maybe he....." she stopped unable to continue.

"You think he took Molly." Jack finished for her.

"Yes." Sam nodded and tried to hold back her tears. "What if he hurt her, Jack?"

"I don't know." Jack replied softly and pulled her into a comforting hug.

~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~

That day stretched into two, then three without any word on Molly's whereabouts, or whether she was alive or dead. Sam was a near basket-case the whole time and I think the only thing keeping her from losing it altogether was Jack's presence. Jonas was, no surprise, no help at all.

On the outside he played the role of worried father to the hilt, yet being in their home over those three days I observed glimpses of the man Sam had told me he was: cold, cruel, vicious, violent.

His fights with Sam during those days would have curled paint off the walls, and I know that it was only the presence of others in the house that prevented him from taking his rage out on her.

I guess I am one who looks upon the world with rose colored glasses and even though Sam had voiced to me her suspicions of Jonas' involvement in Molly's disappearance I did not entirely believe it. I thought how could any father harm his child, especially one as sweet and beautiful as little Molly?

I was wrong, God in heaven was I ever wrong. His hatred and possessiveness of Sam was so strong that he struck out at her in the way he knew would hurt her the most....her child.

~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~

For the first time since this horrible nightmare began the house was quiet. Concerned friends and police had finally left. Jonas was gone and even Jack had left to give her a little time to herself.

The not knowing was tearing her apart and Sam didn't think she could stand it much longer. She ran herself a hot bath and tried to relax both her body and her mind. Sam stayed in the tub until the water cooled then dried off and pulled on a pair of sweats and an oversized t-shirt.

She had just reached the bottom landing and was heading for the kitchen when the doorbell rang. Sam turned and fought down the nervous fluttering of her stomach as she moved to the front door.

The sight of the officers on the front step turned her blood to ice. "No, please...no..." Sam began to cry.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Hanson but this morning we found a little girl fitting your daughter's description. We need you to come with us to help with an identification. Is your husband at home?"

"No."

"Then is there someone you could call to go with you?"

"Yes." Sam nodded numbly and turned to the phone on the hall table.

Jack picked up after the second ring. "O'Neill."

"Jack."

"Sammy what's wrong?"

"The police are here they think.....they think they found Molly. They need me to identify...." she couldn't finish.

"Just hold on, baby. I'll meet you there." Jack replied and hung up.

Sam sat nervously wringing a kleenex in her hands while she waited outside the morgue for Jack to arrive. He rushed in several minutes later and immediately pulled her into a comforting hug. She clung to him for several minutes drawing on his warmth and strength before facing the inevitable.

Jack pulled back and pressed a hand to her cheek. "Ready?"

"No, but let's get this done before I loose my courage."

"Do you want me to do this for you?" he asked her softly.

"No this is something I have to do. I have to see if it's her."

"Okay." Jack replied and took her hand tightly in his. "We're ready." he told the police detective who stood waiting patiently.

"This way." the detective said quietly and led them down the hallway to a viewing room.

They entered a room that held only a couple of chairs and a tv monitor.

"Now the morgue assistant will push a gurney up to the camera in the autopsy room. All you need to do is look at the monitor and tell us if the child is your daughter." the detective explained quietly.

Sam nodded and gripped Jack's hand tighter, steeling herself for the worst as the detective reached out and turned on the monitor.

Jack caught Sam as she collapsed against him and pulled her tight to him as she sobbed out her grief.

"Is that Molly Hanson?" the detective asked softly, even though Sam's reaction told him it was.

"Yes." Jack nodded. "Yes, that's Molly." he replied and held Sam tighter as her sobbing increased. He looked away from the detective and at the face still visible on the monitor. Sorrow, compassion, and rage all filled him at once. He hoped that Sam hadn't noticed, but Molly's little face bore the unmistakable signs of her being beaten and strangled.

"When Mrs. Hanson has calmed down I need her in the squad room to make a statement." the detective told Jack quietly as he reached out and turned off the tv monitor.

"You can stay here for as long as you like." he added and Jack nodded.

"Thank you. " he said as he led Sam over to the chairs .

An hour later Jack sat next to Sam as the detectives questioned her once again.

"Now Mrs. Hanson, this question may seem to be inappropriate but we need to ask. Could your husband have done this?"

Sam didn't even hesitate. "Yes. Jonas is quite capable of doing this. When she first disappeared I suspected him but didn't say anything because I wasn't sure."

"Why would he murder his own child?"

"To get back at me. I was going to take Molly and leave him. He's been abusive from the start and I had finally gathered the courage to walk out. If he found out he could have done this." she finished then looked up at them. "Are you going to arrest him?"

"Yes. We didn't say anything earlier, but all the evidence we've found points to your husband. A warrant was sworn out on him the moment you identified Molly. Now until he has been arrested we'll have officer's stationed outside your home and I suggest you have your locks changed just incase. Is there anyone who can stay with you?"

"I can. I'll make sure everything is fine." Jack stated.

"Good." the detective nodded.

"When... when can I take..."

"We'll be releasing her tomorrow." the detective stated softly and Sam nodded.

~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~

The Jack of my world once told me that there was no horror on earth greater than losing your child. I have not lived that horror myself except perhaps vicariously through the Sam and Jack of this world. Jack accepted Molly's loss as if she were his own yet despite that, was surprisingly strong for Sam. I think he was the only one who got her through the next few days, planning Molly's funeral and taking care of the papers to divorce Jonas. Without him there I don't think she could have made it through.

Jonas had eluded capture from the police for several days, seeming one step ahead of them each time.

The day after Molly's funeral, Jonas made his presence known. He waited until Jack had left the house on an errand. This alone, in hindsight, told us that he had never been far away from Sam, always watching her.

~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~

The telephone rang and Sam sighed as she turned back to answer it hoping it wasn't another reporter requesting an interview.

"Hello." she said as she picked up the receiver and the voice on the other end stopped her heart cold.

"You bitch! I'll get you. Ran to the police the first chance you got. What did you do to get them to believe your lies, give them all blow jobs?" he sneered.

"They're not lies you evil son of a bitch!" Sam snarled. "You killed Molly and I'll see you rot in hell for it!"

"No my sweet traitorous wife, I'll see you in hell." He finished and hung up the phone.

~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~

That phone call really shook Sam up and made Jack furious. I've never seen anyone as angry as he was when he confronted the police and demanded why they hadn't caught Jonas yet and what they were going to do to protect Sam. I know his anger was motivated by worry for Sam's safety and grief over Molly's murder. If I had been in his place I would have done the same.

Jack never left Sam's side the entire time Jonas was on the loose and I know he kept his field weapon within easy reach.

It was nearly a week after Jonas' phone call when things seemed to have settled down, or so we all thought. The police had reduced Sam's guard to one undercover team and they had been led to believe that Jonas had fled the state. Everyone had been lulled into a false sense of security and had underestimated Jonas. That was the police's almost-fatal mistake. Jonas had only been biding his time, hiding out and casing the house, waiting for the right time to strike.

Jack had needed to retrieve something from his house and Sam assured him that she would be fine with only the police outside until he returned. Jonas waited until he saw Jack leave before he made his move. He crept up on the police car and using a silencer on his gun, killed the two detectives before entering the house through broken window in the basement that had been overlooked.

~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~

The kitchen was filled with wonderful aromas as Sam finished preparing dinner. She crossed to the fridge to remove a head of lettuce for a salad when she heard the sound of a door opening and closing.

"Jack?" she called out as she wiped her hands on a towel and moved to the front of the house. "What's the matter, did you forget something?" she continued as she stopped in the front hallway, looking around. Seeing no one, Sam frowned and turned back to the kitchen and screamed. Jonas stood in the doorway holding the butcher knife she had been using to cut vegetables.

"Jonas!"

"I told you I'd see you in hell." he snarled "There's no one to help you now, your lover is gone and the cops are dead."

"Oh God!" Sam cried and took off towards the front door. She reached it and was fumbling for the door handle when Jonas caught her. She cried out in agony when the knife plunged into her lower back. Jonas savagely yanked it out as she fumbled for the vase on the hall table.

She cried hysterically as she swung madly and heard the sickening crunch as the vase made contact with his head. She heard his curse and didn't wait as she ran towards the back door.

She never made it. Jonas recovered and tackled her to the livingroom carpet. They landed hard next to the desk and before Sam could get away, he had pinned her to the floor.

"Oh, God, Jonas please!!" she sobbed as he loomed over her. His head was bleeding where the vase had hit him and his face wore an evil snarl.

"You're dead!" he growled and the knife began it's descent towards her.

Jonas' attack seemed to happen in slow motion as the knife plunged into her again and again. Curiously Sam didn't feel any pain and she knew instinctively that she was in shock. The blackness of unconsciousness drew closer and closer and Sam fought against being enveloped in its embrace. Then suddenly Jonas' stopped his assault and climbed from her prone body.

Sam faintly heard his footsteps moving away and she turned her head when she became aware of a faint buzzing noise.. Through the blurred haze of her vision she saw the phone laying off the hook just beyond her hand. Mustering up what little strength remained to her, Sam reached out, stretching until her fingers brushed the end of the phone cord.

Her breath was coming in a sharp gasping wheeze as she drew the phone close. Her fingers brushed against the button to clear the line and she faintly heard the sound of a dial tone. Then she pressed a speed dial number and heard the line engage.

Jack was just heading for the door when the phone rang. He swore under his breath as he crossed back over to it and glanced at the call display. Worry filled him when he saw Sam's number and he immediately picked up.

"Sam?" he called but was met by only silence. "Sam? Answer me!" he called anxiously and this time he heard her voice in the faintest of whispers.

"Help me.....Jonas..."

"Oh God...just hang on Sammy, I'll be right there." he practically yelled into the phone.

Not wanting to break the connection with her, but knowing he had to, Jack disconnected and immediately called 911. He told them that Jonas was in Sam's house and to get the police and the paramedics there right away.

Jack arrived at Sam's house just behind the police. The emergency vehicles arrived without lights or sirens in order not to alert Jonas to their arrival.

As soon as he had pulled the car over to the curb Jack got out and rushed over to where the police were preparing to enter the house. The officer in charge turned to face him and gave him a nod. "Colonel O'Neill." the man said.

"I'd like to go inside with you." Jack stated.

"Absolutely not!" the officer stated firmly.

"But..."

"No buts. You may be an Air Force Officer but I don't have to remind you that this is not military jurisdiction. You will stay with the emergency vehicles until we have cleared the scene. If you disobey I will have your ass inside a jail cell so fast it'll make your head swim. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal clear." Jack ground out.

"Good." the officer replied then turned to his men. "All right lets move in. I want this bastard taken out and taken out fast!"

Jack watched anxiously as the team rushed into the house. He heard the shouts and winced at the sound of gunshots. Seconds later everything grew quiet. An officer appeared in the doorway. "Get in here." he called to the paramedics.

Jack followed the EMT's into the house and tried to prepare himself for what he would find inside. As he stepped inside he saw Jonas lying dead, his bullet riddled body crumpled in the front hallway the weapon he had wielded inches from his hand.

Jack moved on and stepped into the livingroom. When his eyes settled on the huddle of EMT's in far end of the room he felt as though an iron fist had punched him in the stomach, stealing the breath from his body.

The EMT's worked furiously on Sam and Jack's eyes couldn't help but dwell on the bright crimson stain of her blood that stained the carpet beneath her body.

"Sam....Ohmigod....Sam." he called and moved towards her only to find himself restrained by vice strong hands. "Let me go dammit!!!"

"NO. Mr. O'Neill I know you are worried but you will not do her any good if you get in the way. Let the EMT's do their job." the detective stated in a firm but gentle voice.

Jack nodded and when the detective released him he turned his eyes back to where the EMT's still worked on Sam.

"Please don't leave me, Sammy." he whispered softly.

~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~

I was at the SGC when I got word of what Jonas had done to Sam. I rushed immediately to the hospital and found Jack in the waiting room. I knew the moment I saw him that things weren't good.

From the first moment I had met Jack O'Neill fear was not something I associated with him. In all the fire fights and skirmishes, throughout all the wars we had fought together I had never seen fear in his eyes. I did that day. It was fear that he would loose the one thing that gave his life meaning, fear that he would lose Sam and he would be alone again.

The empty coffee cups piled up on the table as we waited together through the hours while Sam was in surgery. It was nearly three hours after Sam had been rushed in when the doctor came out of the operating room.

He told us that it had been touch and go, and that there were times when he was sure Sam wouldn't make it. I'll never forget the look on Jack's face when the Doctor told him she had made it through the surgery and if she lived through the night stood a very good chance of a full recovery. It was a mixture of joy, fear and several other emotions I'm not sure that I can name.

Jack was allowed into the ICU and he stayed at her side, never moving, through the night until he was sure she would be all right.

Sam made a remarkable recovery. Three days later she was released from the ICU and a week later was released from the hospital. Physically Sam was healing quickly but I knew that the repercussions of her ordeal would stay with her for a very long time, perhaps for the rest of her life. I knew that she would be all right because Jack would be there for her. He would help her through all the rough times ahead.

I stayed long enough to see that everything was all right and then it was time for me to return home. Jack and Sam were both there to see me off and it was a somewhat emotional good-bye for all of us. I hope that someday I will have the opportunity to return.

~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~

It has been nearly two months since I returned from my trip in the alternate universe. I have decided that I will show these journal entries to Sam and Jack maybe knowing about what happened in that alternate universe will make them realize what is obvious to everyone else.

~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~

There's an interesting postscript to this story. It's been six months since I returned and today I got a very welcomed surprise. We were all in a briefing when and airman came and told us that something was happening with the Quantum Mirror. We entered the storeroom only to find the Alternate Sam and Jack standing on the other side of the mirror. I could see without them telling me that things were well with them and they had just wanted to let me know. I was more pleased than I could ever say to see Sam so happy, so in love and so very obviously pregnant.

I was so happy to see that, although their story, their lives are far from over they were well on their way to a happy ending.

And as for *my* Sam and Jack, well I'm not sure if reading my journal entries was the key to them finally admitting to each other how they finally felt but part of me likes to think that it was. As of this writing Sam and Jack have officially, with General Hammond's blessing of course, become a couple and are engaged to be married. I personally am very happy for them and know that they too are well on the way to a happy ending.

~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~<~

Fin