Title: Enduring Time
Category: Angst, romance, friendship, drama
Content Warnings: Major character death, mild language, sexual situations
Pairings: Jack/Sam, Sam/Teal'c, Daniel/Vala
Season: Future
Spoilers: Up to and including "Unending"
Summary: "Everything of importance had changed, and life for the former members of SG-1 would never be the same again." Many years after the events on the Odyssey ('Unending'), SG-1 reunite - but their common purpose is bleak and sorrowful.
Sequel/Series Info: Sequel to "Unending Time", which can be found on this site
Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Stargate (II) Productions, Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. This story may not be posted elsewhere without the consent of the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author. Copyright © 2008 Su Freund
Author's notes:
1. Many thanks to ImmerRDA for beta reading this story and her helpful comments and suggestions. Any mistakes are entirely my own.
2. Thanks to Denise for provoking one particular plot bunny that sparked my imagination and becomes a fundamental feature of this story later on. I am also very grateful to the many other readers who sent feedback and support for "Unending Time", both J&S shippers and non-shippers alike. Your encouragement was heartening and some of your thoughts inspired me to write this sequel. This story is dedicated to you, the patient ones who were prepared to be open minded about the possibilities inherent in the "Unending" series finale - and to actually read the story.
3. I am also thankful for Amanda Tapping's comments about her relationship with Teal'c in "Unending" on the DVD episode commentary. AT confirms that she and Chris Judge deliberately played out that relationship to show they were much more than just friends while stranded on the Odyssey. This was superbly subtle acting, and demonstrates how skilled they are at their craft. I was pleased to learn that I correctly interpreted the Sam/Teal'c ship intentions of the episode. I must admit to feeling a frisson of pleasure, and vindication, after comments and accusations around my decision to write S&T ship made by some elements of J&S ship fandom. I guess it shouldn't be my problem if some people watch episodes with their eyes wide shut. This has always been so and no doubt always will be. My story "Unending Time" gave those fans way more J&S ship than they ever got from TPTB, but they chose not to be open to it. Go figure!
Enduring Time: Chapter One
The warm breeze whipped around the Jaffa as he headed toward the gate, his gold tattoo glistening on his head from the sweat that refused to be cooled or dried by the whispering wind. A high, bright yellow sun glinted in his dark eyes, and he squinted against its invasive glare, cursing inwardly at the loss of his Tauri sunglasses and thinking he should make an effort to replace them.
The long cloak fluttered in the breeze and was too warm for the current weather on this planet, but he knew it was likely to be needed on Earth. Winter would have set in on the planet that had once been his home, and Teal'c wondered if his Tauri friends would ever truly see summer again.
Shrugging such morbid thoughts aside as the gate came into view, he regarded the large circle with a head full of memories. He had not stepped through the chaapa'ai for many years, and it felt strange to be treading this path once again, and for such a purpose. The notion of the reason for this trip disturbed him deeply.
Taking a breath to steady himself, he depressed the required symbols and the gate sprang into life, the large wave of what many had once feared was water gushing forward and then settling back calmly into a shimmering still pool. Sending a signal of his intent through the wormhole, he took a few steps, pausing to run a finger over the event horizon with a faint smile then, walking into it, he was gone, the tranquil event horizon blinking off behind him moments later.
Daniel Jackson stood at the foot of the ramp in greeting, a smile on his face. The young man looked old. He had aged considerably since the last time they had met. Lines etched his face and his hair was thinning and grayed. The smile, however, was the same - warm, welcoming and filled with the many years of friendship they had shared.
"Teal'c," he said enthusiastically.
"Daniel Jackson, my old friend." The Jaffa returned the smile, bowing, and the two men grasped each other in a hug. It had been a long time. Too long. Teal'c had missed the man, and this place.
Glancing around, he noticed the few SFs, who had been tense as he walked through the event horizon. They relaxed their defensive stance, standing at ease, but with weapons ready should they be required. Teal'c was unarmed, except for a knife tucked into a sheath on his belt. This could be construed as a weapon but was no longer intended for that purpose. No one asked him to surrender it.
Surprised that only Daniel Jackson was there to greet him, Teal'c noted that the gate room looked the same as it always had, with starkly unattractive muddy walls and unpleasant bright artificial light. He far preferred the natural light of his current home, the green of forests, the open farmlands. This synthetic place had been his home for many years through design and expedience. He missed the fact of it, but not the reality.
Peering up to the control room, he could see a couple of people watching but no one he knew. Teal'c supposed he shouldn't expect to. The people he had once known at the SGC were retired or dead - old and gradually decaying like he and Daniel Jackson.
Briefly, Teal'c wondered why no one had thought to move the Stargate to a new location once the program had become public knowledge on Earth, but understood that suspicion and distrust still ruled the hearts of men. When was that ever likely to change? There would be time enough for questions, to catch-up with events on Earth, and perhaps the wider universe, but right now was probably not that time.
"It's good to see you Teal'c. Thanks for coming," Daniel said as they pulled apart and eyed each other affectionately.
"I wish the occasion of my visit was under better circumstances," Teal'c replied, his tone one of sadness and loss.
"Yeah, me too. It's been a while."
"Indeed."
"Sorry, Teal'c, I'm afraid some people want to meet you before we set off."
Teal'c sighed. He might have known. The fact that no one else was there to greet him at the gate did not mean he could simply walk into this place and go about his business without impediment. No doubt, he was required to observe some formalities. Wryly, he wondered if a passport or visa was a requirement these days, amused by the notion.
"Do I have no say in this matter?" he queried, dryly.
"Some things never change."
"As I thought," he said, mulling that over a while and then capturing Daniel's eyes with a look of concern. "How is General Carter?" he asked, trying to still his nerves at the idea of meeting up with her again after so many years of absence.
"Okay, considering, I guess. She'd like to have been here to meet you personally, but in the circumstances…"
"I understand. Then we should begin."
Daniel nodded, grasping Teal'c's arm and leading him out of the gate room. What had once been the busy, bustling SGC seemed still and eerily empty; no one but Daniel Jackson to greet him, no warm welcome home from generals. Clearly, some things had changed, and this gave Teal'c pause to wonder, but he had no time for such thoughts now.
He had been steeling his resolve for this visit and still felt unprepared for what he knew was to come. Everything of importance had changed, and life for the former members of SG-1 would never be the same again.
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Later, a bright light set them down in the opening in Minnesota in which O'Neill's cabin lay and he felt thankful for the Asgard technology that made the trip such a quick and easy one. SG-1 had suffered greatly for many years to protect that technology, although Teal'c was the only one who remembered this unending time. He had much to remember and, for him, the many happy memories outweighed the sorrowful ones.
That had been long ago. Teal'c was an old man now even by Jaffa standards. He was no longer the virile warrior and man of those long gone times.
Daniel, however, had been thinking how young his friend continued to look, in comparative terms. While greyer, with some small wrinkles that indicated the inevitable ageing, the Jaffa still seemed physically robust, with a spring to his step that the younger man envied. He pondered this without comment while Teal'c surveyed their familiar surroundings.
This place, too, was full of memories for Teal'c and, although he had not particularly enjoyed the fishing beloved by his old friend, he now recalled the occasions he had been there before with great fondness. Well he remembered the dock from which he and O'Neill had cast fishing lines into the still waters close to the cabin. Also, the time all of SG-1 had come there together and Samantha and O'Neill had sat on that dock as happy friends and colleagues.
That was before the pair had married, before O'Neill had summoned the courage to ask Samantha to spend the rest of her life with him. They had spent many happy years together since then. At least Teal'c hoped they had been happy. He suspected they had and the thought pleased him. It also troubled him because of the many years Samantha had shared her life with him, honoring him with her love.
Looking back, those years of happiness on the Odyssey seemed like a blink of an eye in his long life. They were, however, well worthy of remembrance, and he still thought of them frequently and wistfully. Teal'c continued to miss them, and Samantha, even now.
Daniel noticed Teal'c's distraction as the Jaffa regarded his surroundings, and knew this place must hold good memories, just as it did for him. Although he did not wish to disturb his old friend's thoughts, time was pressing and they needed to move on.
"I understand why O'Neill always held this place dear," Teal'c commented, thinking how peaceful it was and how much it reminded him of his current home. Daniel nodded agreement.
"Me too. We'll come back here later, Teal'c," he said. "We need to go." Teal'c did not respond but allowed Daniel to lead him down the lane toward a car. When his friend indicated he should get in, Teal'c looked at him curiously.
"Why do we not use the Asgard transportation device to reach our destination directly?" he asked.
"It's not widely available yet, Teal'c. You know how things can be. It's too public where we're going. We're privileged we could use it to get this far."
Teal'c nodded and smiled. "Should we feel honored?"
Daniel chuckled. "Probably."
Teal'c looked thoughtful as he got into the passenger side of the car, grateful for the warmth from the bitterly cold air outside. He had been right to wear his cloak. The sky was sullen, grey and wintry, as he had suspected it might be. Briefly, he wondered whether snow might follow later as the clouds appeared heavily laden and it was surely cold enough. The weather, however, also seemed to presage the momentous events of the day - chilly, forbidding and sorrowful. How fitting, he thought.
When he eventually spoke, Teal'c's words were not about their journey. "Am I appropriately dressed for the occasion, Daniel Jackson?" he asked with a tinge of concern. It was obvious the Jaffa did not wish to be indiscreet or disrespectful.
"You're fine, Teal'c. You look like a Jaffa. How else should you look?" he replied with a smile.
"I am unused to such an open display of my heritage here on Earth."
"Oh, but you are famous here now. A hero."
Teal'c nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps I should therefore find a better disguise."
"If you want to hide your…um… Jaffaness, I'm sure we could find something, but don't worry, you won't be mobbed," Daniel replied, amused by his friend's reticence.
"Then I should be gratified for small clemencies," Teal'c commented and Daniel looked at him askance, wondering if he intended the words as humorous. Sometimes, it could be hard to tell with Teal'c and he did not correct his misquote of the Earth phrase "grateful for small mercies", turning his concentration to driving the car. It was probably time Daniel stopped driving. He was getting too old, and his reactions were less acute. However, he was reluctant to give up such freedom of movement.
Despite Daniel's assurance, when they reached their destination Teal'c pulled the hood of his cloak over his head, hiding his tattoo and face as much as possible. It felt wrong to display his uniqueness so openly on Earth and this made him ill at ease. He was already feeling discomfited enough by the notion of what he was about to face without adding to that awkwardness.
The final part of their journey took place on foot and Teal'c keenly observed their surroundings as they walked. He was unused to such a place. Jaffa did things differently. Although this was not the first such event he'd had occasion to attend, it felt as strange now as it ever had. Earth was filled with these places, he thought. It seemed wasteful of land and resource. The Jaffa way was better.
Then he saw her. Samantha! His reaction still surprised him, even though he had expected his heart to stutter, but his expression showed none of his inner turmoil. Now he was here, Teal'c had no idea how to greet her. What was the right thing to do in such circumstances?
As they approached, he watched her carefully, looking for a hint of how he should behave. Perhaps he should have asked Daniel Jackson, but he had not done so and was floundering.
Samantha had not seen them yet. She stood outside of the small chapel deep in conversation with a person who seemed unfamiliar to him. She looked much older, naturally. They all were. But in his eyes, she was still as beautiful as ever, and as alluring. Teal'c questioned his sanity at coming, but knew why he was here. He had to be here. It was the right thing to do, and he had wanted be here, for her and for O'Neill – two of his closest and dearest friends, even though they had not seen each other for a very long time.
It had been too long and Teal'c regretted that. However, the pain he had felt so keenly on each occasion the three had met since the events of the Odyssey might have diminished, but it had never left. He was still haunted by those years, and to see them together and happy had been hard. This was one reason the Jaffa had not been to Earth for so long, now he no longer fought for the cause of freedom alongside the Tauri.
His heart ached at seeing her again now, when there were other reasons it should also pain him. Longing shot through Teal'c and unsettled his already uneasy nerves. The feelings were inappropriate and he tried to suppress them, but found he could not, so his disquiet deepened.
Her hair was longer than she used to wear it, and grey, as he remembered when she'd aged on the Odyssey. When they drew closer, Teal'c noticed that, like Daniel Jackson, lines of aging engraved her face, but this did not stop him from considering her magnificence.
Samantha Carter had an inner beauty that shone through her, even while her eyes were dull and lifeless; as he noticed when they got close enough. That saddened him deeply but did not surprise him. She had lost her great love forever, and she grieved.
"Teal'c!" she exclaimed with a smile when her eyes strayed in their direction. The smile lit those dulled eyes, and this heartened the old Jaffa. She was pleased to see him. "Excuse me," she apologized to the unfamiliar friend, closing the gap between them and opening her arms in welcome. "I'm so pleased you came."
"How could I not?" he replied, returning her embrace in kind, and they swayed in each other's arms for a while before she drew back, acknowledging Daniel's presence.
"Thanks for bringing him, Daniel," she said and he smiled and squeezed her arm gently. He turned away to leave the two friends, who had been absent from each other's lives for so long, alone for a while.
"It's so good to see you, Teal'c."
"And you, General Carter," he said agreeably, although his thoughts were confused. "I am sorry for your loss." She didn't respond, visibly upset by the reminder of her husband's death. "O'Neill is a great loss to us all," he added. "He will be sorely missed."
"His death was a peaceful and painless one, Teal'c. I console myself with that."
"I doubt you find consolation so easy."
Pulling herself together and smiling weakly, she nodded. "You being here will help a little."
"I am honored you believe so, as I am honored to attend."
"It's you who honors Jack by coming."
"He was one of the best men that I have ever known, and one of the best friends that I have ever had."
Sam was silent and he heard her catch her breath, a small sob in her throat, but she remained outwardly calm and collected. No doubt, she had learned much from O'Neill, he thought. They all had. Briefly burying her head in his chest, she gave him a squeeze.
"It's time, Teal'c. We'll catch-up later?" she queried and he inclined his head in agreement. "Will you accompany me and stand by my side with Daniel?"
He bowed concurrence, pleased by the honor she bestowed. Samantha linked her arm with his, turning to enter the chapel and the service that would lay her husband to rest, and picking up Daniel on her other arm along the way.
Looking around further, Teal'c realized this appeared to be a small, select ceremony, unfitting for the public hero O'Neill had become. He had expected full military honors, and many more people. It seemed that, just as he had in life, in death O'Neill rejected the honor and tribute he deserved.
Samantha would be fulfilling O'Neill's own wishes with such a discreet ceremony. No doubt, she had fought the authorities for that right. Further consideration made him believe this was fitting after all, for the man rather than the hero. It was so like his friend.
With those thoughts, the threesome entered the chapel to bid their final farewells to the man all of them had loved in one way or another during their lifetimes.
TBC
Author's end note: If you think his death means Jack and J&S ship won't be making much of an appearance in this story, then I should disillusion you now, before you stop reading, lol! This story is very much about Jack and J&S. He is writ large in the thoughts of the remaining protagonists, and appears in many flashbacks throughout. Jack is the center of my Stargate universe, so no story is complete without him as far as I am concerned. I'm just sayin'…