Daniel, his abdomen now flat thanks to a Nox inspired illusion; Sam, Jack, Cam, Vala, Jonas, Carolyn, Uncle George, Landry and assorted 'gate personnel were gathered in the gateroom to bid Teal'c farewell as the Jaffa prepared to leave Earth for a life with Ish'ta and the Hak'tyl, Ish'ta waiting in the middle of the gateramp.

Jack and Teal'c clasped each other's forearms and nodded, maintaining eye contact in true Jaffa fashion, and the Lieutenant-General remarked, patting him on the shoulder, "You'll always have a room at my place if this… doesn't work out."

Teal'c smiled slightly and bowed his head, replying, "It has been a great honour to fight by your side for the duration that I did."

"Right back at ya, T… you know… I did get that clearance for you and Ish'ta… so if the missus changes her mind…" Jack raised his eyebrows suggestively.

Teal'c's smile widened and he replied, his hand on the General's shoulder, "I am grateful, O'Neill, but it will not be necessary. Ish'ta has made it quite clear that she does not wish to reside with the Tau'ri."

"Give the girl some credit… it's tough moving cities never mind a whole planet. All the best, buddy. You'll be missed."

"And I will miss you and our travels. I have learnt much from you despite your infuriating manner and your propensity to antagonise the foe. You are an honourable warrior."

Jack stared at him blankly for a moment before saying, "I heart you too."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Teal'c engulfed Daniel in a big hug, the Archaeologist resting his head against the Jaffa's large chest as he whispered, his own arms around Teal'c, "I'm going to miss you, Teal'c. I wish you could stay with us."

Teal'c, in an uncharacteristic gesture, kissed Daniel's hair and replied, "Indeed. I will visit as much as I am able… and you are more than welcome to visit the Hak'tyl." The Jaffa discreetly smoothed Daniel's stomach and continued in a whisper, "And I wish to see your child when he is born."

"If we get clearance to do so, we'll bring him with us."

Teal'c smiled against the Archaeologist's hair, "That will be most enjoyable. Your son will grow into a strong warrior and a man of great courage and principles like you."

He continued, his smile fading, "I have always tried to protect you, DanielJackson… at first because of my transgressions and then because of your honour in battle. Each time, however, you always discover some way to protect me and I do not believe that I have fully repaid my debt to you."

Daniel looked up at him. "Teal'c, you owe me nothing."

"On the contrary. You have taught me many things, including the power of forgiveness and self-sacrifice. You were not trained in battle but you fought bravely, shoulder to shoulder with battle-hardened warriors. You are indeed a noble, courageous warrior with a gentle soul… and it was the greatest honour to fight by your side for so long."

Daniel sniffed back oncoming tears and remarked as he rested his head on Teal'c's chest again as a concerned Sam mentally hugged him, "Sorry, I keep crying."

Teal'c rested his forehead against Daniel's. "There is no shame between friends. Crying is not a sign of cowardice – it is one of compassion and grief." The Jaffa kissed Daniel's forehead tenderly.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"You've been a fantastic friend, warrior... everything, on and off the battlefield, Teal'c." Sam wiped her eyes as Teal'c hugged her, "I promised I wouldn't cry but here I am… I am going to miss you. I miss you already. I just wish there was some way to keep you here but evidently, that's not going to happen, so my only wish is that you have a great life. You really have earned it."

"GeneralJackson, you have destroyed my initial preconceptions of you time-and-time again, as a woman and as a warrior. You are indeed the bravest, most courageous woman that I have met, rivalling many of the bravest Jaffa." He smiled slightly. "That does not do you justice. Never before have I encountered a woman so formidable when faced with a foe but with such a beautiful spirit. Your children are indeed blessed to have such a mother, and DanielJackson is triply blessed and more to have such a wife and confidant."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"I would say that I wish you wouldn't go, but two senior officers have beaten me to that already as well as my former boss, so… Aww, c'mere, T."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Well, Muscles, I would jump on your back but I'm carrying a Mitchell. I just hope you have the most wonderful nights in a soundproofed hut."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"You know, you started off hating my guts, and to be fair, I, ah… so did I. I wasn't proud of, ah, what happened, but we, ah, eventually became friends. It's been great. I never thought I'd actually be on the verge of crying when this moment came, but… I'm going to miss you, Grandpa Teal'c."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

After the farewells, Teal'c stood before his friends as they all looked at him and he smiled slightly. He turned and the members of SG-1, past and present, stood at the base of the ramp with him as Ish'ta joined him, all of them looking up at the 'gate as Walter initiated the dialling sequence.

The 'gate dialled, the full complement of SG-1 escorted the two Jaffa up the gateramp. They stopped halfway and Teal'c said, looking at them one last time, "Farewell, my family."

Teal'c smiled slightly at Ish'ta, taking her hand as they gazed at each other, and they stepped through the event horizon, Jack calling, "Call as soon as you get in."

When the wormhole disengaged, they all looked at each other with quiet sighs, and then walked down together, Sam discreetly holding Daniel's hand as Jack remarked, patting her shoulder and wary of their surroundings,

"So Carter, I hear Space Monkey knocked you up again."