Stargate: The falling of the colonies

AU STORY: It's been six moths since General O'Neill died. For Sam Carter and Daniel Jackson, it feels like something important is lost forever. When the Stargate malfunctions during a routine mission, they find themselves in the midst of an escalating conflict they do not understand. Will they be able to survive and even find what they have lost?

A/N:
Hi folks, this is a new AU Stargate fanfiction that I absolutely had to write. I'm not sure if something like this has already been written and if you'll even like this. But I thought I should give it a try and let you decide if it's a good read or not.

I have to point out, that English is not my native language and I have no beta reader. Therefore, errors can always occur.

For the story it is important to know that it will be AU and that I'm seriously messing with the original timeline. So, this is what happened before this story starts:
-The Goa'uld are defeated an the Ori problem has never occurred
-General Hammond was sent to Washington D.C. and O'Neill took over as head of the SGC
-Carter was promoted to and took over SG-1
-The Atlantis expedition started a few weeks before this story begins
-I also use what happened in the movie continuum. But I changed the outcome of the execution of Ba'al. How exactly, Carter will tell you in the first chapter

I hope that you'll like this story and give it a chance and that you're not bothered about the changes I've made.

You should also know that this will be a crossover with an other great sci-fi series in later chapters. But I won't tell you which. Don't want to spoil the surprise effect. Maybe you already suspect correctly, given the title of this story?

So, what else is there to say? Oh, yes, this story is already completely written. Problem is, I've written it in my mother tongue, German. That means, I have to translate the chapters before I can post them. But I think I could publish a new chapter every week.

PS: In case anyone here also happens to read my other story 'Stargate: The Walking Dead'. I didn't forgot about it and I know it's been far too long since the last chapter. But I was halfway through a new chapter when I got the inspiration for this story and I just had to write it down nonstop. I hope the long wait hast not scared you away. Of course I will try to post a new chapter as soon as possible. But until then, you could maybe give this story a chance.

Of course, I want to point out that I don't own anything regarding Stargate and that I don't plan to generate any kind of financial profit with the publication of this story. This is just a hobby, not more.

On that note, I hope that you will enjoy this new story and if you do, I would be delighted about your feedback. Now, enough babbling, here's the first chapter. Have fun!

Chapter 1: Bubble

The two suns stood high in the sky. It was unbearably hot. SG-1 hat managed once again to land on one of those sandy desert planets, that had nothing else to discover than Daniel's obligatory ruins. But today, at least for Carter, those ruins felt like 'seen one, seen them all'. Daniel thought differently, of course. But even he could find no reason to extend this trip. Those ruins were not that impressive or informative. He had carefully and thoroughly photographed and filmed them and was now ready to return to earth.

The members of SG-1 had already dismantled their camp for the night and were now on their way back to the gate. Mitchell and the new one walked ahead and chatted about the latest basketball results, while Daniel followed at some distance and Carter brought up the rear. But she liked it that way. In the last weeks, she hadn't really felt a like opening up to her teammates.

They weren't bad guys, really. Mitchell was a brilliant officer and his improvisational skills were an enrichment for the Stargate Command. The new one, Lt. Meyers, also made a good impression. It was clear to see, that both men were very proud to be part of the legendary SG-1 and therefore tried very hard to prove that they deserved a place in this team. It was a good team, an excellent team. But it was not hers anymore, Sam realized more often.

Mitchell, Meyers and even Daniel tried very hard to transfer the old camaraderie into a new one, but Carter had neither the energy nor the wish to participate. Something was missing, something existential had disappeared and had taken the good old days with it. And she also knew exactly who this something was.

She felt that choking feeling again, when she thought about it. She had spent the last few month thinking about it. About that awful day. About him. Most of the time alone. She just couldn't manage to do it in the presence of others. Not even in Daniel's. He was just too compassionate and understanding, always. The first time since she had met the archaeologist, Sam had the feeling that he simply did not understand. On the other hand, she found it painful to express herself and what she felt. It was so much, so intense and consuming that it often threatened to overwhelm her at times. Only once, at the funeral, she had felt understood. She and Teal'c had shared a quick look over the casket and it had felt as if there was the same pain in the Jaffa's stoic eyes.

But the shared pain had brought no relief and Teal'c had left for Chulak soon after. Or rather, he had downright fled. In nearly 10 years, It had been the first time that Sam had seen her big friend fleeing, but she couldn't blame him. She herself wanted to run away. But that was not possible, wasn't honorable, she heard her father say. She had to put up with all the grief and guilt. She just wondered how long it would take until she was over it. Although, maybe it was even better if she'd never cope with it. It would be the fitting punishment for her.

The General's death had been her fault alone. She didn't doubt that and nothing could convince her otherwise. She had been entrusted with the safety of Ba'al's execution. It had been her job to make sure that the General could watch with satisfaction, while the man who had tortured him got what he deserved. Of course, an execution was no party, but it might have brought the General some peace. God knew that he deserved it. But that was not how it did happen. Ba'al had tricked them again. That the bastard had still died in the end, was no relief at all. He had still managed to take the General with him, to kill him and force Carter into a full-blown depression.

After that, she cried for hours. Had mourned everything they had experienced together and all that could have followed, if they would have been a little more brave. Not as the officers Carter and O'Neill, but as Sam and Jack. Sam and Jack, Jack and Sam. She liked that. Liked the sound of it, simple but enough. But it held future now, perhaps there had never been one for them. Sam loved Jack, she knew that now. But it was too late. All those years in which she had wondered if it was really love, or whether she so much longed for someone who would always be there, that she had projected all her wished into her superior officer. After all, she had never met anyone who was as passionately honest, steadfast, faithful and loyal like O'Neill. It would have been just logical to put all her hopes in such a man. But it was neither misunderstood admiration or strong friendship, combined with physical attraction.

It was real, true, all-consuming love. Sam knew that she had never felt so strongly for another human being. So It had to be love. Even now, six month later, the feeling had not abated. On the contrary, it was getting stronger each day that she missed him. His presence, strength, confidence in her and even the bad jokes. Just everything. She often wished that she could change places with him. Then she would remember the day O'Neill had admitted that he would rather die himself that lose her. He had not said the exact words, but it was nevertheless a declaration of love. At that time, she'd been too confused and maybe even shocked to understand the depth of his feelings. Today, she knew how he had felt and that no one had ever said something more beautiful to her.

Carter felt again that all-consuming sadness an wiped a stray tear from her eyes. In front of her, Daniel turned and gave her a worried look. But she waved him off. With a heavy sigh, her turned around again, leaving her alone with her gloomy thoughts. Daniel. Her best friend. The poor guy. He tried so hard, but had no clue what to do with her. He wanted to help her, but it wasn't working. There was nothing he could do. He couldn't bring back the dead.

In the past, Sam had identified herself with her work. She was proud of herself and work was so much fun, that she had often spent her free time at the lab. It had satisfied and completely filled her. Gave her the opportunity to show all her skills and test her limits. SG-1 had helped her to become the best officer possible and so much more. But ever since that horrible day, the magic was lost. Instead of studying the Stargate and the alien technology with wonder that was renewed every day, she just acknowledged it. Cold, dry and mechanically her brain cataloged the exponents, but nothing more. Work no longer led her to her limits, didn't animate her to use all her capacities. Something, no someone was missing and it filled her with angst every time she realized, that she would never get it back again.

General Jack O'Neill was dead and had taken the magic of her work, the center of her joy, with him. And nothing and no one could ever again fill this gap. Recently, there had been a reason to hope. The brass had wanted her to take command of the Atlantis expedition. For three weeks, she had meticulously prepared for this new position and Sam had felt some of her spirits come back. But this frail feeling of delight hadn't last very long. Because, for some flimsy reason, she had been relieved of command before the expedition had even started. Dr. Elizabeth Weir was now leader at Atlantis. Weir now witnessed all the miracles in which Sam had put all her hope to get back some of her energy.

It wasn't that Carter thought Weir was not qualified enough or that she categorically rejected the possibility of a civilian leader in Atlantis. Weir was an excellent choice. Just like MacKay, who was the leading senior scientist. Everyone in Atlantis was an excellent choice. But she was excellent, too. She had seen this new position as her chance for a new beginning and even as a reward. Now it felt like the brass didn't trust her anymore. She felt pushed off. Like the superiors knew that she was burned out. That this work had consumed everything she had to give and now, she was pushed into a position in which she couldn't do much damage. And she also knew that she was supposed to be relieved that she had not gone to Atlantis. After all, the expedition had disappeared. For weeks now, the Stargate Center tried to contact the crew, but it was as if they had never arrived in the city. Nevertheless, the thought of just disappearing without a trace, held a strange fascination for Sam. She didn't know if that was a dangerous development in her personality or just the only logical conclusion, considering what she had experienced in recent years.

But it was pointless to mull over it. Maybe it was a sign that it was time to look for a new challenge. She didn't like this thought, but maybe it was time to say goodbye to SG-1. She was no longer the young, energetic, idealistic and a little bit naïve officer almost ten years ago. But she was still young and ambitious enough to start something new. For her own sake, she had to do something. If not, she was going crazy sooner or later. Something had to change, before the grief consumed her.

Meanwhile, they had reached the Stargate and Daniel, as always, dialed the coordinates. When the blue event horizon appeared with the well-known kawoosh, it was almost unbearable to see Meyers fascinated expression. That had been her, that had been her fascination for years. But now it was almost like a mockery of what she had once held dear.

Mitchell nodded at them briefly and stepped through the gate, followed closely by Meyers. Daniel hung back a bit and Sam shot him a quizzical look which he tried to avoid. He looked as if he had something hard to say.

"Daniel? Everything okay?" she asked gently. Her friend rubbed his neck sheepishly.
"Yes, everything is okay. Great, actually."
Sam watched him intently and saw the conflicted feelings in him.
"I hear a 'but' coming." She commented and told him silently to finally say what was going on. She looked hard at the Stargate. It wouldn't be long until they would inquire what took them so long. She wanted to avoid that. It was bad enough, that her colleagues walked on eggshells around her. She didn't want to give them any more reasons to doubt her. Even if it was just being late.

"It worked, Sam!" Daniel announced proudly, but grimaced apologetically immediately afterwards.
"Atlantis, I mean. My transfer wish was granted. I'm going to Atlantis. I mean, once we have rebuilt contact." He explained finally and appeared to feel bad and happy about it at the same time. Unlike others, Daniel still believed that the Atlantis expedition had been a complete success. Their people had reached this wonderful city and discovered new opportunities. They just couldn't sent a message. That was all. From experience, he knew that there could be dozens of reasons for that. That's why he had confirmed his wish to go to Atlantis as soon as they could deal the city's Gate every day. He had not given up the expedition. The mission of SG-1, however, was completed. Teal'c had been the first to understand. He left for Chulak to find new tasks. Not it was his turn. If one door closed, another one opened and for him, Atlantis was this door.

Sam grimaced and turned away. She knew that it was Daniel's greatest desire to see Atlantis. By destroying the Goa'uld, it felt as if their task was completed and it was only natural to look for new ones. She didn't begrudge Daniel's new chance at Atlantis. It was more like a clear sign for her. Now she knew that it was finally time to fold up her tent in Colorado Springs.

Teal'c had returned to Chulak. Hammond was happy with his new position in Washington D.C. Daniel would go to Atlantis and discover new wonders. Cassie had started her college and barely time to call.

It felt as if everyone she knew carried on with life. All were moving. She was the only one trapped in some kind of bubble in which time seemed to stand still. It was hard and painful to admit, but Sam would have to accept that her SG-1 family was lost forever.

"That's great, Daniel. I am really happy for you." She finally said, but also noticed how forced it sounded. Daniel took an uncertain step towards her, stretched out his hand as if to hug her, but then stopped his movement. Some time ago, a hug had been a normal contact between them. But now, it was as if a wall had build up between them.

"What's wrong?" he asked and looked at her doubtfully. Sam put up a stubborn face and fixated a point over his right shoulder.
"I'll be fine. You don't have to worry. You'll leave as soon as contact is established again?"
"That's the plan, yes."
The words echoed hollow in her head. She saw it clearly now. Daniel had managed. He had coped with the loss and could look forward again. She didn't want to lose Daniel. Maybe she had to look at it as one last great act of friendship. Daniel forced he to go on with life. It was time.

She broke through the invisible wall between them and hugged her best friend. Daniel was surprised at first, but then he relaxed into the touch. Both allowed themselves a few seconds of rare closeness, then they parted again.

Mutely, they walked through the Stargate together. Maybe for the last time. They both felt the familiar tingling, as their bodies were dissect into their molecules. The last thing they noticed was an odd heat. It was like they were cooked alive and it was not normal. Something was happening with them and there was nothing they could do against it.

Maybe, she'd get her peace earlier that expected, Sam thought as she felt something unknown yanking her.