Disclaimer! I don't own Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis or the shows characters.

Summary: The lives of a different SG-1 team made up of Vala, Teal'c, and Rodney. An AU where Daniel Jackson gets his wish and goes with the first expedition too Atlantis as it's leader, with Sam Carter as his head of Science and Mitchell to lead the Military. Leaving Vala having the new found role as the teams leader. Dr. Rodney McKay to takeover Sam's place at the SGC and SG-1 as their science and Stargate technologies expert. Teal'c retaining his position as the team's heavy hitter and Dr. Elizabeth Weir takes over Jackson's job as the SGC's head linguist, and on occasion, SG-1's tag along as the more peaceful and diplomatic member.

Vala leaned against the wall, arms crossed, eyes searching as she watched the hordes of people scurry about the Gate Room. Lots of them carrying big boxes of supplies around. Some with clipboards checking off lists of said boxes. People speaking in foreign tongues, which she could suppose where probably giving out orders and telling others to hurry. Her eyes continued scanning the mob until her eyes settled on the man in the eye of the storm. Dr. Daniel Jackson.

Daniel was surrounded by some of the people with clipboards. Each letting him know if they where done, or if any complications had come up. Daniel was doing his best to keep up with four people at once, who where each speaking in a different language.

A hand touched her shoulder making Vala jump. She turned and saw a sad smile. Blue eyes regarding her with uncertainty. "Hey."

Vala quickly hugged Sam. Laying her head under Sam's chin. She closed her eyes. "I'm going too miss you."

Sam hugged her back. "I'll miss you too."

Vala whined. "Do you have to go?"

Sam pulled away from the hug and looked at her friend. "You know I have too.. This is our best chance to find a way to destroy the Ori and the Goa'uld once and for all."

"Daniel can do that himself." Vala replied with a pout. She really didn't want Daniel to go either but she knew it had to be done.

"If the expedition finds any technology that is helpful, they'll need someone too understand it and make it work. Especially if it's broken." Carter reasoned as simplified as she could, without going into details and techno babel. There was too little time left and even should could tell explaining things now that Vala wouldn't understand anyway wouldn't help anyone now.

Vala scowled and swept her arm, addressing the room. "All these people and not one could do that themselves?"

Sam looked uneasy. "They can of course.. But.." Sam looked distant. She didn't like referring to herself as better. Even if it was true.

"But you're the expert." A males voice finished for her. The girls turned to see Dr. Rodney McKay standing behind Sam. More people wandered past with equipment and McKay stepped to the side of the wall closer to them, getting out of the expedition staff's way.

Sam opened her mouth to counter that statement but he held a hand up and continued. "It's true, being humble is only a part of the charm. We both know you're an artist."

"Thanks McKay." Sam regarded. A hint of a blush on her cheeks at the compliment from such a usually un-complimentive, selfish person. However, somehow if he ever did give compliments they where always heartfelt and directed at her, which was ironic considering they bickered at each others expense non-stop.

Vala raised a teasing eye brow and a smirk at the blush. Sam only glared back in return.

"Of Course." Rodney regarded back as he looked Sam over. He then looked to the woman beside her and frowned, looking deep in thought. "Do I know you?" He asked. "Sorry, I'm terrible with names."

Sam waved and arm between the two in introduction. "Vala, this is Dr. Meredith Rodney McKay. Rodney, this is Vala Mal Doran."

Vala looked the scientist over with interest. She had never been introduced to the guy personally until now but had seen brief glimpses of him in briefings with General Landry and heard both awed praise, and the pained annoyance and whispers of several scientists that said he was supposedly as smart as Sam and would be taking over her projects and labs when she left. Some of the rumours said Landry had no idea what a handful he was hiring. When Vala asked about Sam what she thought about her replacement, she had told her he was a self-centred bastard. Apparently that was supposed to make her think less of him, but Vala too had been called self-centred and self serving for years as she looked out for herself. She still was called that a lot even now, each time she brought up the desire to find treasure and take some of the profits... So all in all Vala had a feeling they where going to be fast friends.

Vala gave the man a smile. "Hello Meredith."

He groaned and looked unhappily to Sam and pointed at her with annoyance. "You're not suppose to tell people that!"

Sam just smirked. "It's not like it's not in your records..."

"So!?" His face turned red.

"Well Vala's the type too snoop so.. She's already been asking about you.." Sam turned an eyebrow raised, smirk back on Vala who's turn it was now to blush. She then turned back to Rodney. "Anyway it's not like it's that bad... Meredith.." She grinned then added. "It's cute."

Vala frowned at the both of them confused. Not understanding what was going on. "Huh? Sorry was something a secret?"

Rodney snapped his figures in frustration, apparently not hearing Vala's question. "CUTE!? CUTE!? Oh real mature Colonel Samuel!"

"Uh excuse me!" Vala piped up again as Sam started her own retort to boy-a-fing her name. "What are you two taking about?"

"Meredith's name is girly." Colonel Mitchell responded just now wandering into the group after some heavy lifting of weapon shipments.

"Oh haha Miss Michelle." Rodney stated with a sarcastic eye roll. "Only in human standards." He mumbled. "And Cameron can also be a girls name too.." He added with annoyance. Mitchell gave him a death glare.

With Vala still looking a bit confused Sam clarified. "He wants everyone to call him Rodney."

Vala blinked then before she could respond Rodney cut her off. "There's things much more interesting then my name.."
He snapped and pointed to Sam's empty hands. "Shouldn't you be getting ready?" He asked, but sounded more like a blunt order. Not seeing a laptop on her to him meant she must be not ready, as he kept one in hand at all times but maybe that's not her MO. He wasn't sure. Regardless what he really wanted was for her to get off this topic. It'd be just his luck if Carter told everyone his name just before she left the galaxy so he'd have to deal with the fallout and be humiliated for eternity just like his school days.

Sam rolled her eyes. "Just saying my last goodbyes McKay." Though she unhappily knew he was right. It was almost time to go if the expedition left on schedule. She turned back to Vala and Mitchell and put a hand on their shoulders. "I'll see you both at the gate."

It was a statement, not a question, but Mitchell answered anyway. "Wouldn't miss my biggest trip through the gate ever." Sam gave them one more smile.

Rodney looked about the floor as the SG-1's had their moment, then cleared his throat as Sam turned to leave. "See ya blonde-y... Right?"

Sam turned back to him to snap a comeback at the blonde but was stopped when she realized what he was really asking. His concerned and expressive blues eyes staring into her own. She gave him a kind smile. "Of course.. You'll see me again.." Her eyes turned more determined. "You'll see all of us again." She knew it was an unlikely and unrealistic statement. Deaths where a common occurrence in their line of work. But that didn't mean she wasn't going to try her hardest too make sure the whole expedition all got through the new and unforeseen perils of the Pegasus Galaxy.

Rodney nodded solemnly. He didn't believe they'd all make it, so many things could go wrong. However, in the end they had Sam. Sam the action, super hero scientist. Sam was nearly as smart as he is, so surely she could find answers to the impossible just like him. Her reports said as much. He then regarded her with a half slant smile. "Well then off you go before you get left behind.. Then we're stuck with ya and we'll have to see each other a lot more often."

She sighed and turned away and walked off, calling over her shoulder. "Can't have that now can we?"

"The universe isn't safe with both our minds in the same galaxy... Another sun might explode!" Rodney replied with a smirk.

"It was just a sun! Why does everybody bring that up!?" She yelled exasperated, muttering to herself "It had to be done..." then turned the corner and was gone.

Rodney continued to smirk even after she was out of sight. Enjoying her reactions to pushing her buttons.

Mitchell raised an eyebrow. "She exploded a sun?!" He asked in impressed wonder as he looked back to where she left.

Rodney sighed and snapped his fingers at him and pointed. "Yes, now shouldn't you be helping with the move!" Rodney then noticed others had stopped working as well and had been ease dropping on their conversation. Great, if any of them where staying he just knew he'd be teased for his name in no time. Thanks a lot Colonel blabber mouth. He pointed at the gate in annoyance. "There's a schedule to keep people! When the gate dials up we can't drain that ZedPM waiting for last minute people to finish up now can we?!"

After a few seconds of defiance as people wanted a break, the look in Rodney's hard, unyielding blue eyes said otherwise. People around grudgingly went back to heavy lifting. Daniel nodded his thanks in McKay's direction. Jackson had looked forward to this trip for a long time and didn't want any delays either.

Satisfied that everyone had listened to his commands, McKay took away his hard stare and smirked, turned back around. He noticed Vala looking him over. His smirk fell into confusion. "What?" He asked, then looked himself over too see if something was amiss.

"I was just wondering why I hadn't thought of it." Vala replied as she looked over the scientist.

Rodney looked at her confused. "...Thought of what?.. This gate time?"

Vala then looked up at his eyes with a mysterious smirk. "Yes.. Having them late for the gate."

"Uh." Rodney wasn't sure how to respond but didn't have too as Vala evidently sprung into action. She gave Rodney a quick hug that nearly knocked him into the wall at her force of strength. Then Vala let go and imminently raced down the hall out of the gate room but quickly turned back to give a parting wave to the bewildered man. "They where right! You're a genius! Thanks for the idea!" She turned back on her heel and sped off calling for Teal'c. "Muscles!" She yelled down the halls.

Rodney blinked then smirked at the compliment. Still not too sure what inspiration he had inspired but apparently he was already influencing brilliance in the people around him and getting people to follow his orders. Sam hadn't even left yet! He had a feeling this meant he was going to transition into taking over her old position easily. 'Way to go me!' he thought to himself proudly and took then off towards to the Mess Hall hoping they where serving some of his favourite blue jello.

"Vala Mal Doran?" Teal'c responded as the woman screamed her nick name for him, running through the halls, looking for him.
He set the big create he'd been carrying down next unto the cart with the others.

"Ah! Muscles! There you are! Come with me!" She grabbed his arm and started to lead him down the hall.

"Where are we going?" Teal'c asked.

"Carter's lab! She's just finishing up packing!" Vala replied with excitement.

Teal'c raised an eyebrow, silently surprised the woman seemed happy to that fact. It meant Sam would be gone in 25 minutes. "Does she require our assistance?" He asked.

"Yes..." Vala gave him a smirk. "Just not in the way you're thinking..." Vala's eyes brightened. "We're going to help her by keeping her there."

Teal'c tilted his head. "I am not sure I follow, Mal Doran... Wouldn't that be counter productive?"

"Don't you see, Muscles! If we keep her there then she can't go through the gate! It's fool proof!"

Teal'c raised his eyebrow again. "Is that not the course of action that would prove unwise and unhelpful, Mal Doran?"

"No! Of course not! See, if we keep her there, we'll be helping her stay!" She smiled once they got there. She opened the door to check to be sure she was inside. Sure enough Sam was packing away. Her head lifted to view her guests. "Teal'c, Vala. Come on in!" She smiled. "Almost done, if you could just help me with-"

Vala instead, cut her off, by slamming the door shut with a thump. She quickly turned to Teal'c. "Okay T! Barricade the door!"

Teal'c was doubtful this was best, but Vala insisted and seemed genuinely convinced so he braced himself against it, pushing it closed with his weight.

Sam attempted to open the door to no avail. The two could head her voice muffled through it. "Guys! Come on!" The two remained quiet. Sam blew it off as an innocent joke and went back to packing. Ten minutes later of checking that her reports where up to date and finished she was done. She went back to the door to try again but it still wouldn't open. "This is a bad time for a prank!" Carter's voice called out more serious. The struggling of the door became more pronounced, but there was no way Sam could make Teal'c budge. Soon the voice and the attempts stopped.

Daniel made his way over, Vala leaned back, arms crossed beside Teal'c against the door, attempting to look more cool and causal.

"Hey guys! Where's Sam?" Daniel asked, then looked at the door they where in front of. "Is she still getting ready?"

"Nope. Sorry Daniel, she's not here." Vala replied, then gave a quick glance to Teal'c to help.

"Colonel Carter has indeed already finished packing, Dr. Jackson." Teal'c added.

"Oh, all right then, well if you see her." Daniel looked at his watch and sighed, running an hand through his hair. "Tell her the gates scheduled to go in 6 minutes."

"Maybe she's already there?" Vala tried, attempting to get him to leave before he caught on. She would have thrown him into the room too if she thought they could without setting Carter free in the process.

Daniel nodded. "Yeah.. Maybe.." After he left Vala turned to Teal'c impressed.

"I didn't know you could lie." Vala stated curious.

"I can lie." Teal'c clarified. "But at this time I did not lie. I stated Colonel Carter was done packing, which she is, I just didn't say if she was in the room or not..."

Vala smirked. "Nice loophole." Teal'c bowed his head in response.

Suddenly General O'Neill and a handful Military officers following him, marched threw the hallway straight to them. "T, step aside."

Vala gapped at Jack as Teal'c did as ordered. "How did you know?" Vala asked dumbfounded as Carter finally strode free from her confinement.

Jack ignored Vala's question, with an eye roll and a sigh and instead gave Teal'c a look. "I can expect it from her, but I thought better of you T."

Teal'c just shrugged in his usual stoic silence. Jack shook his head and turned away. "Okay men back to the gate."

Vala was still trying to figure out how her plan had failed when Dr. McKay wandered next to her from the other side of the hallway he was watching from, entertained. Still eating away at his blue jello. "She probably used the emergency phone to call for help. That's what I would have done in her place.."

Vala silently cursed and shook her head annoyed at herself for the rookie mistake of not thinking from all the angles.

McKay continued, nodding to himself. "Should have used a small EMP in the room so she couldn't have been able to send emails either.."

Vala looked wide eyed over at the brunet haired, blue eyed scientist as he snacked on his jello. "Next time you're helping me plan." Rodney hummed his agreement.

Sam sighed at Teal'c and Vala as the group walked down to the Gate Room. "What where you thinking?"

Vala sighed. "Apparently not all the way through..." At Carter's glare she pouted. "We just wanted to keep you here.. Is that so bad?"

Sam shook her head and then gave them a sympathetic smile. "I'll miss you guys too, but orders are orders."

"I know..." Vala admitted reluctantly. She still wasn't happy though that three of her best and only friends where leaving her.

Once they had made it to the room, Mitchell called and motioned them over to him and Daniel. People where already in line to go.

The group said there goodbyes. Sam gave them both a hug. She even gave Rodney a hug reluctantly as well. Then once Jack reached them gave him a longer hug and whispered her love for him so only he could hear. The sadness in Jacks eyes spoke volumes of how he felt in return.

"You make sure the kid doesn't get into trouble." Mitchell told Teal'c who bowed his head.

"I will try, Colonel Mitchell."

"And you!" Daniel pointed at Vala. "Don't make it hard for him!" Daniel teased.

"I believe the Earth saying goes, 'I make no promises' Daniel." Vala returned sadly, but still smiling. Trying hard not to cry.

"It would be a promise she couldn't keep." Jack teased.

Teal'c bowed his head. "We will be here whenever you return." He looked at them all with stern sincerity. "If you ever need our help, just call.. 'Undomesticated equines could not keep me away.'

Carter smiled. Tears formed in her eyes. "Thanks T."

The group stood together one last time before the Stargate, like so many times before, except this time knowing that they weren't going to be able too all travel through it together this time..

If ever again..

Then they where gone.

Vala didn't know when the room was emptied, or how long it took, as the last of the expedition was long gone, gate closed. All she knew was she kept staring at the empty gate until it's emptiness could be felt within her as well, and finally the tears she fought against where let go, and she cried alone.