ATLANTIS NEXT MORNING

The sun slowly came through Sam's window. She realized she had slept the entire night. She couldn't remember when she did that last. She started to think about what happened the day before. She wasn't sure she was dreaming. She slowly sat up on her bed, with a bewildered look on her face, still in a sleep phase. She was having a hard time associating reality with "dream-ality". The sudden beep at her door brought her back to reality.

"One second, she said, loudly" as she got up to put her robe on. She ran to the door only to find an eager Jack O'Neill, at her doorstep.

"AH, Good morning to ya" He said, with this grin on his face. Looks like Sam wasn't the only one who had slept well.

"Sir…." Sam said as she finished tying her robe. "Good morning"

"Carter…did you just wake up?" he said. Carter was never one to sleep in. But before she went to bed, she had reviewed her schedule for the next day as she always did. She had no early morning meetings, and breakfast with her Jack, was at the top of her list.

"Um…I guess I did Sir…" She said. "I haven't really been sleeping well." She said. "Guess it all caught up to me."

Awkward moment.

They both stood there. She finally bit the bullet, and said, "Would you like to come in Sir, I'll only be a moment' she said.

"Su-reee" he said. As Carter walked away to shower and get ready, He thought about what she said, "Not sleeping well" ..something is definitely wrong. He tucked that piece of information aside, and waited for her.

"Wow Carter… sweet digs" he said as he looked around her room. Especially when he realized the view the promenade was the same view outside her bedroom window.

"Thanks Sir..I guess being Colonel has it perks" she yelled from the shower.

He can hear the water running, and he could not control where his mind was going. Thank God it was a quick shower, before he knew she was stepping out the bathroom. By this time he was so ancy he had picked up a frame on a side table in her living room. He needed something in his hands, something to occupy the time. Thing is he never looked at the photo. When he finally did, he realized it was a photo of him. He grinned knowing, this women loves me as much as I love her. She stepped into her living space, as he gently placed the picture back where he found it. But not quick enough for her to see he had seen it. She just smiled.

"You ready?" she said. She felt any more time spent in her quarters might lead to a court martial.

"You sure u betcha" he said. And with that they headed to breakfast. As they walked the corridor, they continued to reminisce. Sam would giggle on something Daniel had said or done to tick off Jack and Jack would mimic Tealc's facial expressions.

They reached the mess hall. By this time most of the people were already busy at work. It was quiet. They got their food, and sat at the same corner table. They ate quietly. No words needed to be said. The fact that the two of them, were there together was enough. But as they say all good things come to an end, the overhead comm goes off.

"Unscheduled off world activation." They both immediately got up. It was instinctual. Breakfast was going to have to wait.

They made their way to the Control Room and walked over to Chuck's console.

"We're receiving a signal. It's Captain Robbins on M2R-441." Chuck stated.

Jack looked bewildered.

"They're delivering medical supplies to a planet that was recently culled." She said.

"Ah" Jack said, as he always did when, he didn't have anything else to say.

"Patch him in." Sam said.

"Captain, this is Colonel Carter. Please report." She said, as soon as she got the go, that she was on air.

"We had a bit of a situation here, Colonel. We've run into some locals, who are injured. Said some creatures came in and started blasting everything in sight. Some were able to get away and hide, but some are in pretty bad shape.

"All right. I'll send Dr. Keller. Report back in an hour. Carter out" Sam said. She had to make sure there were no pathogens that can infect the base before she had these people enter Atlantis.

Jack just sat back and watched her work. She shined. The people there respected her. And so did he.

He had that Cheshire grin. She just looked at him, and smiled back.

"Chuck, I'll be back in an hour" Carter said. With that she made her way to Jack.

"Sir, I've got some reports I need to complete, if you…"

"Lead the way" Jack interrupted.

She started to walk and he followed her. She reached her office, and Jack took a seat, noticing the pictures that were on the desk behind her, specifically him.

"Nice digs Carter" He said.

"Thanks Sir….I can't complain" She said. Admitting her office was a nice set up.

"Sir…this might take a while" she said. She did not soon forget how fidgety he can get while waiting.

"That's fine Carter…I can sit and wait" He said. She immediately glanced at him, with a look of, "NOT".

"What…I can wait…" Jack forgot for a moment how well she knew him.

With that, Sam started on the reports and Jack sat and waited. At first he did well. He sat quietly, for about a half hour. But he didn't last long. He started pacing, and touching things in her office. It was driving her crazy.

"Sir" she immediately said. She knew the man couldn't sit and wait.

She closed her report. "How bout I give you that tour I promised you"she said.

She knew she still had a half hour before Dr. Keller reported back from the planet.

"You sure, Carter? I'm fine sitting here" He said, knowing he was driving her crazy.

"Oh, I'm sure" she said. She led the way.

They walked side by side, as she should him the areas of Atlantis. They made their way back to the promenade. He liked this area. There was something about it. They looked out into the city.

No words were spoken they just stood there, enjoying each other's presence.

Just then, Sam's Comm went off.

"Colonel come in" it was chuck from the control room.

"Go ahead" She replied.

"I have Dr. Keller" he said

"Put her through" Sam said.

"This is Colonel Carter. Go ahead" She said.

"Colonel, I've assessed everyone, and I can't do much for these people here." She said.

"All, right why don't you bring them back" Carter said. Knowing Dr. Keller would have assessed them all for any viruses or pathogen that can affect Atlantis.

"Understood" Keller replied back.

She paused and looked at Jack.

"I gotta….," she pointed as if to say, she has to go and be Colonel Carter.

He just smiled at her.

"I think I'm gonna park myself right here Carter" Jack said. He did not want to get in the way, of her doing her job.

"You sure Sir, …I" she said, but before she can finish her sentence, he interrupted her.

"You have a job to do Carter, I don't want to get in your way" he said. "I'll be here when you get back" he assured her.

"Thanks sir.." She said.

"You sure you betcha" he said. Knowing that always made her smile. And she did.

By this time the team and the people from the planet, and entered the gate. D. Keller had them all situated in the infirmary.

"Hi Colonel" Dr. Keller said, as she continue to assist the injured people.

"Status, Dr" Carter said. I was just about to page, Colonel"

"Well, we have several broken bones that we are setting, and casting. We also have some internal bleeding, that we have been able to stabilize, but this is what you'll find interesting.

The Dr. led Sam to a young lady on one of the gernies.

She won't let anyone touch her. I've given her 2 sedatives that should have put a horse down, and nothing. " Dr. Keller stated.

"Is she a threat?" Carter asked thinking quickly as a Colonel should.

"I don't think so….Dr. Keller stated. "Thing is….she keeps asking for you" she said.

"Me? What do you mean?" Carter said in bewilderment.

"All she keeps repeating, is Sam, here…Sam Carter…she won't stop asking for you. Do you know her?" Dr. Keller asked.

"I've never met her" Carter quickly asked.

"Well, I guess I'll find out now" Carter said as she walked towards the girl.

She was holding her knees, and had her face buried in them, she just whimpered.

"Hi" Carter said softly. The girl slowly looked up. She continued to cry, and ask them not to hurt her.

"Hey, hey, no one is going to hurt you. We are here to help you" Carter tried to reassure the girl.

"Please…Sam Carter, do you know, Sam Carter" the girl continued to ask. She didn't recognize Carter in the least, since she only knew her by name.

"I am Sam Carter" Carter replied.

"Sam…." The girl said gently. "You're the Sam Carter, so many have spoken of?" The girl slowly relaxed on the bed, and started to whimper.

Carter placed her hand on her knee to try to calm her down.

"I'm sorry, "Carter stated. "I'm not sure we've met before?"

"We haven't" the girl said.

"What is your name?" Carter asked. Confused as to where this girl could possibly know her from.

"My name is Kaylia" she replied.

I am a descendant of the Shavadai people. Carter looked puzzled. The tribe name sounded so familiar but Carter couldn't place it.

Kaylia continued…

"You came to our planet, many moons ago. Women were not allowed to speak or show there face in public, for they would be put to death" Suddenly Carter slowly started to remember a certain Abu who tried to sell her.

"Abu" Carter said.

"Yes…yes….he tried to sell you to retrieve the love he desired. But that did not turn out well. You beat Turghan in hand battle. It was then when we, as women, started our own revolution. Since then, women have gained knowledge, tremendous knowledge. We learned the dials from the Sea of Ogada. We began to explore worlds we had never seen before" Kaylia said.

At this point she was showing signs of exhaustion. Dr. Keller still could not believe that the sedatives she had given her had not knocked her out. Somehow Kaylia's physique was different.

"You figured out the dialing device? That's impossible it took us years to decipher the dialing device, nonetheless addresses to dial" Carter was dumbfounded. How could they have figured the Stargate out?

"I tell you the truth Sam. Many of us migrated to other worlds. We educated our women and still do" the young girl said. At this point she had leaned back. Dr. Keller could see that the girl needed was fading.

Dr. Keller slowly walked over and interrupted. "Hey…" she said as she started to adjust Kaylia's pillow, "I think that's enough questions for now" Dr. Keller said.

Carter knew she was right, but she was dumbfounded that they had figured the Stargate without any prior knowledge. Were these an advanced people, that they weren't aware when they visited their planet so many years ago?

"Right….."Carter said, trying not to drill the girl for further questions.

"Hey, why don't you get some rest…..we don't need to cover all this now, ok?" Carter said. She slowly took the blanket and started to cover the young girl.

"I am quite tired" Kaylia said as she was fighting to keep her eyes open.

"Rest…I'm not going anywhere….I'll have the Dr. come get me as soon as you wake up, ok?" Carter tried to reassure her.

"Ok" Kaylia said, as she slowly drifted to sleep.

Dr. Keller came by and checked her vitals. Where the girls vitals were hay wire when she first came in, they had stabilized. There definitely was something about meeting Colonel Carter, that calmed this girl down. She was just glad to see her finally resting.

"So…do you know what she is talking about?" Dr. Keller asked.

"Well…sort of…..SG1 visited her planet, and let's just say they were less than welcoming when they saw a women dressed in pants" Carter said.

Just then Jack had walked in. He was getting antsy. He seriously wasn't one for waiting.

"Sir" Carter immediately said. She almost forgot. She did tell him she would meet him later on.

"Carter" He said looking at the girl and the Dr. Carter suddenly realizing she was staring too long at him.

"Dr. Keller, this is Colonel O'Neill" Carter said quickly, hoping the stare wasn't so obvious.

"Colonel O'Neill, from Washington, yes?" she said. They shook hands, O'Neill with his always puzzled face, but then said "Yup, that would be me".

Suddenly Carter realized why Dr. Keller made the comment. Their discussions while in the underground mine. Right there and then, she realized Dr. Keller knew who O'Neill really was.

Carter started to blush. With her fair skin, it wasn't something she could easily hide.

"Carter, you o.k?" Jack said, seeing her change colors.

"I'm fine…." She said quickly. "Dr. you let me know when she wakes?" she asked. Dr. Keller could see that Sam put two and two together, and gave her a quick grin.

"Sir, how bout we go get something to eat?" Carter quickly tried to change the subject. Sam was never one to suggest eating. She was always the one to forget to eat. So her question took Jack a back. But he played along.

"Sure Sa—Carter…" Jack almost slipped with her name, "Lead the way"

Carter quickly started to make her way to the mess hall, with Jack in foot. Jack nodded to Dr. Keller, and followed Carter.

"Hey…" he called out to her. She was almost at a jogging pace.

"Hey…" he said again. "Slow down…mess hall ain't going anywhere" He said as he grabbed her elbow.

"Sorry Sir..i just…" Carter was at a loss for words. It feared that Dr. Keller could say something and jeopardize both their careers.

They both stopped in the middle of the corridor. He stopped her long enough to just let her catch her breath and relax.

"I'm fine Sir….the people that came back" she was trying to change the subject so to not to reflect what she was really feeling.

"O.K.' Jack said seeing she didn't really want to talk about what was really bothering her.

"You're talking about the kid in the infirmary" He said. Everyone younger than him was a kid.

"Yea…" Carter said, glad that he wasn't going to push the other subject.

She continued to tell him what the young girl told him. He too was shocked to know that they were able to figure out the stargate in such a short period of time, and that Sam Carters name was something they revered. Carter continued to tell him what she said, as they made their way to the mess hall. They grabbed their food and made their way to their same corner table.

"So, you're telling me the women were able to not only figure out the stargate, but able to dial to other planets" Jack said as he filled his mouth with a spoon full of mash potatoes.

Carter just looked at him and smiled. She seriously didn't realize how much having him around meant to her.

"Carter?" Jack said. Watching her gaze at him was nice but people were always watching.

"Yes…yes…right Sir…." She came back to reality.

"Interesting" O'Neill said.

She looked at him with an annoyance because she knew although he played dumb; Jack O'Neill had a knack for figuring things out.

They continue their meal, in silence, enjoying each other's presence. A chime suddenly came in through Carters com. "Colonel Carter, come in please" it was Dr. Keller.

"Yes Dr. Keller" Carter replied, wiping off the remnants of some blue jello she'd just enjoyed.

"You wanted me to alert you when Kaylia was up. She's up and persistently asking for you" she said.

"I'll be right there" Carter said.

"The girl is up Sir. She is asking for me." She slowly got up wishing she could just sit with him for hours, but she knew her duties as Colonel wouldn't allow for it.

"I'll come with" Jack said.

Carter gave him a quizzical look, but didn't contest his statement. She figured all though they weren't spending alone time together she would take anything she could get.

They made their way down to the infirmary. Again, hands on their sides and occasionally touching. His presence alone made her body quiver. She thought to herself, would she ever be with the man she loved. Would it ever happen?

"Carter" Jack could see she was in deep thought.

"Sir, Yes…." she said back. Trying to stop her mind from going to that place where she knew it couldn't.

"You kind of blanked there for a second" Jack said as they neared the infirmary.

"Sorry Sir was thinking about the time we visited that planet Sir…" she quickly came up with a response but the color that started to rise from her neck to her face told a different story.

Jack knew she was lying. Again he knew her better that she knew herself. But decided to tuck that away in his back pocket and leave it alone. They arrived at the infirmary, where the girl was anxiously waiting to see Sam again.

Before she reached her bed, she yelled her name.

"Sam…..so happy to see you again, Sam?" Kaylia said.

"How are you feeling?" Carter asked hoping the young girl had settled in.

"Much better thank you..Kaylia said, as she leaned to her side to get a better view of the man standing behind Carter. She remembered her people speaking of a man who revered Sam just as much as they did. They spoke of this older man, who Sam obeyed and yet he did not own her or abuse her.

"Are you Jack…Jack… O'Neill?... is that your name?" Kaylia asked.

Again everyone was taken aback. Not only did Sam's name go down in the history of this planet, but now they see that Jack too, was known.

"Ah, yes…that's me… last time I checked?" Jack said adding a little humor to the weirdness.

"Yes…..yes…my people spoke highly of you as well… They saw how you revered Samantha as not only a woman but a warrior. Although noticeably much older than her, we could see how much you cared for her, while she fought the battle with Turghan and won. The women watched the intensity in your eyes, as the one you cared for was about to fight to the death." Kaylia said.

By this point Carter didn't know what to do with herself. She was surrounded by nurses, as well as a very in tune Dr. Keller.

"Ah" is all Jack was able to get out.

"The startgate, Kaylia?" Carter quickly changed the subject hoping the questions would not be coming later.

"Stargate?" Kaylia asked confused….then she realized what she meant.

"Ah yes, you mean the Sea of Ogada" she replied.

"Yes…how were you able to activate it…so quickly?" Carter asked, whose curiosity was getting the best of her.

Kaylia started to explain that as the women began to gain there freedom, they started to realize that there capacity for learning was higher than the men. They kept it a secret for quite some time knowing that they might try to bring them back into oppression knowing that they could easily outsmart them.

They would hide in caves, and learn what they could. At night they would visit the Sea of Ogada, and study immensely. They had found journals and books within their village that spoke of the Sea of Ogada. The men never paid attention to them, and treated the books and history books and that's all. But the women, with their advance learning were able to absorb the information in the journals, and texts that they found and quickly learn how the Sea of Ogada worked.

Once they figured it out, they decided that leaving and starting their own people would be best for them. They started out in small numbers. The addresses they had found in the books, and journals left behind by their ancestors. It was only to these addresses that they dialed into. The books also spoke of the Goauld, and other beings that destroyed planets. As they gained there confidence, they would share the information with some of the men they trusted. It was then that they started to travel through the gate as unioned people. From there it progressed, and we began our own people, and villages.

"Amazing.." Carter stated.

Suddenly Kaylia became quiet. Tears started to roll down her face.

"Kaylia, are you ok?" Carter quickly asked.

Through her tears, she tried to explain what happened, next "They came through the Sea of Ogada…killing whatever was in there way. I was in the fields, teaching the young ones, about the sky and moons above us, when I heard the sheer cries of my people. I gathered as many of the children as I could, and try to make it to the caves to hide, Eli was right behind me….I heard him yelling to keep running, keep running….." by this point Kaylia could barely speak, the tears and whimpers grew stronger.

"Eli…who's Eli?" Carter asked.

"He.. was..he was…..my, Jack O'neill" Kaylia said as she let out a cry from her soul.

The silence in the room was defining. Carter didn't know how to respond. "Her Jack O'Neill" she thought to herself. How do I respond to this? Carter treaded lightly. She knew listening ears were all around her and she was still Colonel Samantha Carter. Jack on the other hand, just had his hands in his pockets and looked to the ground. It amazed him how, they were on the planet for such a short period of time and yet the women can sense how he cared for her, so early on.

"I loved him so…" Kaylia said. "He was my mate, my soul, my union. He cared for me, and yet let me flourish in my abilities of knowledge. He even encouraged learning how to fight to make sure I knew how to fend for myself in danger. But these beings moved so quickly….we ran as fast as we could…I reached the cave, but when I looked back, Eli wasn't there. I can hear him yelling for me to continue running and not look back, and then I heard this blast and a curdling sound…and I knew..I knew…my Eli was gone… I couldn't call for him, for it would have given up our location. There were so many children, that I had to try to keep quiet. But it didn't help. They found us. We ran, and ran, and I couldn't protect them. One by one they killed them, they killed them all" Kaylia could no longer speak, for her cries were now becoming a cry of pain and hurt from within.

Dr Keller quickly came, and administered a sedative into her IV hoping this time it would take effect.

"I think that's enough for now" She quickly stated, concerned about her patients well being.

Carter didn't realize but tears had begun to roll down her face. The tragedy this young girl saw, no one should ever see. Carter held her close. She couldn't imagine what this girl had gone through, she saw the loss of children, she was sure she loved as much as she loved Cassie, and then to hear the loss of the man she loved, would tear anyone apart.

"Shhh..shhh" Carter said as she held her. Carter's tears were not only for what Kaylia had gone through but she knew she would not know what she would do if she lost Jack. She thought to herself how long will she have to dance this dance, till she can be with him. She glanced at him, and he was staring at them both. This time she held her stare at him. Almost hoping he would be able to read her thoughts. Jack just looked down.

"Hey…why don't we get some rest o.k. You're safe now. I am so sorry for your loss. I truly am" Carter said.

"We will try to find you an appropriate planet where you can start again. It won't be easy, but I can tell you are a determined race." Carter said to her.

By this time, Kaylia's eyes were growing heavy. She nodded and smiled, and dozed off. Dr. Keller checked her vitals, and she was resting comfortably.

"Wow" Dr. Keller said.

"Yea…" is all Carter could out. She wiped her tears away and snapped back into Colonel mode.

"Colonel Shepard, come in" she called into her Com.

"Yes, Colonel," he replied.

"I need for us to start looking for a conducive planet to re-locate these people" she said as she made her way to her office, Jack in stride, letting her work.

"Got it Colonel. I'm on it" Sheppard replied.

"Thank you, Carter out" She said.

As she made her way to her office, Jack could see the ache her face. He wasn't the only one feeling the heartache in that room. He as well, thought to himself, what would he do if he lost Carter?.

This was his breaking point. He knew he had to tell her why he was really there, because tomorrow was not promised.

As he walked behind his planning began. They reached her office. She sat. No words were spoken, till he broke the silence.

"hey, you ok?" he said, walking towards her.

She just looked at him. Not knowing what to say or do.

"I'm fine Sir" she said, "my heart just goes out to Kaylia. I could never imagine seeing so much loss at one time." She said.

He just smiled at her. He leaned against her desk, and just softly rubbed her hand. They suddenly had a moment. Her body was reacting, and all she wanted to do was throw herself into his arms. But she knew she couldn't.

"I'm sorry Sir" she broke the awkwardness. "I really need to get to work, and find these people a home" she said.

"And you will" he said. The faith he had in this woman, never ceased to amaze her.

She gave him that all familiar smile.

"I'm gonna take a walk…." He said. He knew she needed to work, at that he was being a distraction,

As he made his way out her office, "Thank you" she said.

He stopped, and turned towards her, "always" is all he needed to say. He left her office, but she hadn't left his mind. He knew he had to tell her. But the when and why and how is what he needed to figure out.

Hours later….

He didn't see Carter for hours. She was in complete Colonel mode. And he let her be. In the meantime General O'Neill was making plans of his own.

He knew he wouldn't have her full attention till Carter had found a home for these people. So he took that time to do his planning. It had to be right, so right.

Several weeks back….

General O'Neill sat at his desk. Reports, paperwork, meetings, were not his forte. He found himself missing SG1 more and more, and specifically a blonde female. He would find himself lost in thought many times, thinking of all the missions they had together. The countless times she had saved his life, with no regards of her own.

"How long will this need to go on?" He would ask himself silently. He's faced Goaul'd, God's of all kinds, Blackholes, and yet he couldn't bring himself to just tell her how he felt.

He realized more and more that life was short. Losing Dr. Frasier was proof of that.

It was then he knew he had to take that step. He pulled out a piece company letterhead from his desk, and began to write.

To whom it May Concern..This letter is to inform you that I will be retiring. I have served the country with all I have, and have been honored to be part this military service for so long.

With regards,
General Jack O'Neill

He folded the letter, placed it in an envelope, and knew he had to plan this right. He remembered reading one of the reports stating supplies were heading to Atlantis. And that is where he needed to be.

The day came. He walked into the Commanding office placed the letter on their desk, Saluted and said

"It's been an honor serving". Without any hesitation he walked out of the office, with everyone in shock. The man had served for so long and had become such an asset to the program. Jack quickly made his way, to where the supplies were being held. He nodded to the airmen, (who typically would not allow anyone who was not on the roster) but he knew General O'Neill wouldn't take no for an answer. Jack was on his way to Atlantis.