A/N: So here we are, at the final part of my 3-part Journey story series. I hope you've enjoyed it so far and I really hope you'll like this one as well, action, drama, comedy, death, life, loss, love and some big twists that you hopefully won't be expecting - it's only the first chapter and I'm already finding it hard to write in such a way that I don't give too much away too soon. This one is for all SG-1, SGA and SGU fans because we'll be seeing them all in this story so get ready for a crazy ride through the gate :)

Warning: Character(s) death, violence, torture

- The Journey - Part 3 -

Concussion

Prologue

I awoke disoriented and confused laying on the cold hard stony ground at the top of some narrow stairs, it was dark and the air was filled with thick choking clouds of dust that were slowly dissipating allowing a dim light to pass through, then sounds from below, I heard coughing and shouting.

Someone repeatedly called out, they were calling a name, a name that was so familiar, then the memories of what just happened came flooding back, and I instantly recognised the name, it was my name they were calling.

I was about to call out to them when I suddenly felt very strange, a horrendous pain flooded my head causing me to lower myself to the ground, my mind began to wonder, I couldn't think, my mind filled with thoughts and memories of things I don't remember doing, my whole body began to tremble, then I realised what it was, I had felt it once before, many years ago, a pain I never wished to experience again for as long as I live.

When I opened my eyes I saw my hands, they were glowing, was I on fire, I panicked and tried to call out for help, but my lips froze mid-call, suddenly I couldn't speak, I couldn't move, I could barely breath and I felt myself slipping away, I saw a shadow emerging from the dust below, a man appeared, I was so relieved at who it was and all I wanted to do was run to him, but I couldn't move, I tried to call out but I couldn't, I screamed and I screamed and he couldn't hear me.

My strength was leaving me, it felt like I was falling asleep, then my hands pushed on the ground and lifted me up, but it wasn't me, I had no control, I knew what was coming, there was no coming back from this.

I found myself standing at the top of the steps looking down at him, he stepped forward and softly spoke my name, although my mind was quickly leaving me, I still thought of a thousand things I wanted to say to him, but only one thought mattered.

I don't know how, but I managed to find the strength, and in those final moments, as a veil of yellow consumed my vision, I managed to speak the words that mattered... "I love you.".

Chapter 1

Over the past couple weeks the leaders and governments of the world have been on high alert and preparing for the imminent arrival of a new threat – who's origins and motivation are still unclear, so far the only information they have was from the artificial intelligence known as 'Nym', which SG-1 encountered on their previous mission while exploring ruins on P3X-474, a planet which has since been consumed and destroyed.

All they know is that an enemy of unknown origins appears to be ripping its way across the universe destroying everything and killing everyone in its path, a path which is heading directly for Earth.

Nym's race was unable to stop it and their entire galaxy was obliterated within a matter of days, if Earth and it's allies are unable to stop them, then the Milky Way galaxy and every galaxy in between could suffer the same fate, a fate they refuse to accept.

While the governments of Earth gather their resources and prepare to mount a defence any way they can, scientists, researchers, astronomers, archaeologists, historians, SG-1 and more than 30 other teams have been pouring through books, charts, data and scouring the galaxy trying to find anything they can that will help them.

So far they've found nothing of any use.

On board 'The Alliance'

For the last 18 hours, some of SG-1 have been travelling to and from a number of their allies planets, bringing them much needed weapons and hyper-drive engines so they can be retro-fitted to their ships, they'll need as many ships as they can, they're also helping to relocate several hundred thousand people from planets that don't have Stargate's in order to get them out of arms way and to a much safer location where they can at least be defended if necessary.

They've just finished unloading supplies on P3X-595 and are now on their way to P3X-599 to pick up more people for transport to a safer location, Sam is on the bridge in the first pilots chair next to Captain Swanson, due to her current condition, Jack didn't want Sam to come along telling her she would be safer on Earth, Sam disagreed and came along anyway, though she has promised to try and take it easy.

Sam briefly turns her head after seeing movement from the corner of her eye, Jack and Teal'c just entered the bridge from the corridor, "Hey guys." she says.

"Hey." replies Teal'c, in a humorous manner.

Sam turns her head to face them, she thought it was unusual for Teal'c to speak in such a way, Jack and Teal'c stand looking back at her with grins on their faces, "What?" she asks.

Teal'c walks towards Sam, swinging his arms from around his back he hands her a small parcel with a gentle bowing of his head.

"Oh.." says Sam, a little surprised, the parcel is 'intricately' wrapped in gift paper.

"A gift." says Teal'c.

"What are these?" asks Sam, looking at the pattern on the wrapping paper.

"Cutlery, I believe it is a traditional image of the arrival of a child." replies Teal'c.

Jack leans in towards Teal'c, "That's...Storks!, Teal'c." he says in to his ear, "..not forks." he adds.

Teal'cs grin turns to a mute expression, he looks displeased with himself for making such a silly mistake.

"Don't worry Teal'c, it's fine honestly. It's nice paper." says Sam.

Teal'c grins again but only slightly, "The wrapping is irrelevant, you must open it." he says.

Sam gets a grip on one of the parcels corners and starts to rip it.

"Er – no no I wouldn't...I" blurts Jack, "Never mind." he adds, glancing back and forth at Teal'c.

Sam finished tearing off the wrapping and lets it fall to the floor, she opens a box revealing a blue and white wool knitted pair of baby booties, she gasps with joy, "Ooh there adorable, Teal'c.", she stands up and hugs him before sitting back down, "Thank you." she says, holding them close to her chest and looking at Teal'c.

Teal'c bends down and picks up the crumpled and torn paper off the floor, "You are most welcome, Samantha-Carter." he says, he looks distraught, he then gives Sam a respectable bow of his head before turning and slowly exiting the bridge.

"Is he all right?" asks Sam.

"Yeah, he just...it took him four and a half hours to wrap that thing. We should have him checked for OCD when we get home." replies Jack.

"Aren't they cute." says Sam, showing Jack the booties.

"Yeah, our boy's going to love them." replies Jack.

"Boy?, you mean girl don't you" says Sam.

"We'll see." says Jack, "They're the perfect size for his chubby little toes." he adds, he gives Sam a kiss on the forehead and takes the booties in to his hands and begins to walk away, "I'll put these in my pack." he says.

"Chubby?" says Sam.

Jack turns around, "What?" he asks.

"You think our baby's going to be – chubby?" asks Sam, not sounding very happy.

"No I just meant that all babies are a little..." Jack starts to say.

Sam stands from her chair and steps over to Jack, "Do you think I'm chubby?, you think I'm fat is that it, is that why you said we're going to have a chubby baby?!" she snaps.

Jack stands briefly in confusion as to where this sudden burst of anger has come from, "Wha – NO!. I don't think you're ….I never said ..." he replies.

"What, that I'm fat. You implied it." shouts Sam.

"Oh for cryin-out-loud." moans Jack, he gently leans in and places both his hands on the tops of Sam's shoulders, "Listen, it was a perfectly innocent.." he begins to say.

Before they can finish their argument, Major Higgins picks up something on the ships sensors.

Cpt Swanson looks over to Jack and Sam "Will you two be quiet please, not on my bridge." she says, "Bring us out of hyperspace." she orders, looking back at Major Higgins, "Sam, if you wouldn't mind." she adds, indicating to Sam that she should retake her seat at the console.

"Yeah" replies Sam, taking her seat.

The Alliance drops out of hyperspace, looking out of the bridge window they see a small asteroid ahead of them.

"It's just a space rock, Ma'am." says Higgins.

Swanson agrees, "All right, plot a course around it and then take us back into hyper..." she orders.

"No – wait!" shouts Sam, extending her arm out towards Higgins.

As the asteroid slowly rotates around, they see a red light on its side.

"That's no asteroid." says Sam, she knows immediately it's one of the enemy ships.

Jack, who was standing a few feet in front of the consoles looking out of the window, turns in an instant running back to the console, he slams the palm of his hand down hard on to the alarm button and then the ships coms button, "This is Colonel O'Neill, I want everyone suited up, assembled and seated in the 302 bay ready to go, Now!."

Captain Swanson isn't fully up-to-speed on what exactly is going on, but she knows O'Neill, she's been in battle with him before and trusts his judgement completely without question, she gives the nod to Sam and Higgins, "Raise the shields, ready all weapons..." she orders, "Battle stations" she shouts, turning her head to the side giving orders to the crew behind her.

"I'm heading down to the bay." says Jack, looking at Sam.

Sam nods, while pulling the seat straps down over her shoulders, her hands are a little shaky, "All right." she replies.

Jack noticed Sam's hands shaking moments before he turned around, he turns around again a moment later and lunges back towards her, he grabs the metal buckle of her shoulder straps and clicks it in to place, reassuringly, "Keep an eye on that thing." he says.

"O'Neill" shouts Teal'c, running on to the bridge.

"Yeah, Teal'c, let's go." replies Jack, turning once again and running down the corridor.

A minute later the ship outside starts moving away from them, gradually gaining speed and moving further and further away.

"It's leaving." says Swanson.

"What's happening up there?" asks Jack over the radio, he's just entered the 302 bay and is getting his flight gear on.

"It's gone." replies Sam.

Jack looks at Teal'c for a moment, "What?, what do you mean it's gone...where'd it go?" he asks.

"It just left, Colonel." replies Swanson.

A few minutes later, Teal'c and Jack run back to the bridge, fully suited up in their flight gear and carrying their helmets, Jack walks straight up to the window and looks out, the ship has gone, he turns around "Where'd it go?" he asks.

"Perhaps it did not wish to engage us in battle, O'Neill. A scout ship perhaps." says Teal'c.

"Looks like we're in the clear, Colonel." says Swanson.

Swanson suddenly hears the worried voice of her second officer coming from her left, "Err...Ma'am." says Higgins, followed by the beeping pulse of the proximity sensors.

Sam, Jack, Swanson, Teal'c, Higgins and other members of the crew turn and look out of the window as the beeps get more rapid and closer together, off in the distance they see and watch a tiny red dot moving left across the 'horizon', then it appears to turn and the tiny red dot gets bigger and bigger and bigger...