---------------

Jack and Janet were watching, somewhat relieved that although Daniel and Candice had a fairly hot and heavy make out session that they didn't take it any further than that. And at the moment the two of them were curled up in each other's arms napping and looking more relaxed than they had in weeks.

"So Doc, you think they're gonna be all right?"

"I honestly don't know, Colonel. But this seems to be a good start. Now if they'll actually eat something I'll be ecstatic."

---------------

Daniel's watch beeped and he opened his eyes, although for a moment in his not-awake state he didn't want to because he swore that he could feel Candice with him. His brain engaged fully when he realized that there was in fact a soft, warm body entwined with his. And a gentle smile crossed his lips as he watched her sleep.

He traced her lip with his finger and watched her expression go from confused to happy as she woke up. She reached up and stroked his cheek, "I thought I was dreaming there for a minute."

"I know, I did the same thing. We should probably go get some lunch before the briefing. Hungry?"

She kissed him and laughed as she sat up, "Starving. For the first time since we woke up."

"Me too. I've been living on baked potatoes and salads."

They headed to the commissary noticing the weird looks they were getting in the corridors but not commenting. The odd looks continued as they got their trays and got in the food service line. The officer who's head Daniel had almost taken off over the mint tea saw them both in line and offered, "We'll have your potatoes in just a couple of minutes Dr. Jackson, Dr. Cooper."

A wide grin spread over Daniel's face, "Now that's something that got to get changed."

The officer looked at Daniel in horror trying to figure out what he had screwed up that Colonel O'Neill was going to ride him for now.

Candice realized that he was talking to her and not the panicking officer in front of them, "What's that Diamar?"

"Your name."

She laughed. They had had a long winded discussion about the topic soon after their first hand fasting. Actually it was more of a one-sided discussion as Daniel had gone on and on about all the pros and cons of her changing her name once they were back home. Candice had finally been able to get a work in edgewise when he stopped for a breath and she took the opportunity to take his face in her hands and say very seriously, "Daniel, I will be proud to be known as Dr. Candice Jackson. It's not a tough decision." The look of adoration on his face let her know exactly how much that meant to him.

"It would probably help if we were actually married, Daniel."

He looked at her and grimaced, "Yeah, huh? There is that minor technicality."

"We'll just add it to the list of stuff to sort out. Hey, is that pasta I see?"

They were both chuckling as they moved on down the line and got plates loaded up with pasta and garlic bread.

Jack and Janet entered the commissary just in time to see the poor commissary officer standing there with a baked potato in each hand looking completely dejected as Daniel and Candice went to sit down with their pasta.

Daniel and Candice were sitting side by side talking quietly as they ate, filling each other in on the hellish three weeks they had just spent. Jack and Janet sat down across from them, Jack with a smug expression on his face, "So are you two back to being happy campers?"

"Actually Jack, we were just discussing the fact that we have a lot of stuff to sort out. And we'd both really like to know what it was that hit us." Daniel said in between shoveling forkfuls of pasta into his mouth.

Candice was doing something unconsciously that was making Janet crazy. She was again rubbing the top of her left wrist for no apparent reason, "Okay, Candice. I have to know. Why do you keep rubbing your wrist?"

Daniel looked down at her hands and frowned, "Your bracelet."

Candice dropped her eyes and said sadly, "Yeah."

Janet asked the obvious question, "What bracelet?"

"I gave her a bracelet that I carved for our tenth anniversary." Daniel replied in a quiet voice. "Or I guess what we thought was our tenth anniversary. You wore it for over thirty years."

The mood around the table had taken a somber tone as the reality of their situation started sinking into Daniel and Candice.

"I'm glad to see you two eating something other than salads and potatoes, but I'd like to see you get some protein in you. A couple of meatballs maybe?" Janet said lightly.

Candice and Daniel looked at each other and cringed. Candice explained, "The thought of eating meat after only eating vegetables for so long just makes me a little green. And I know that wasn't that long in reality, but my brain thinks otherwise."

Daniel agreed, "Same here."

They looked at each other again and said simultaneously, "Something else to sort out."

They all headed for the briefing room after finishing their lunch. At first Daniel and Candice were holding hands as they walked, but after a few minutes Candice noticed something that made her let go. She was getting jealous daggers thrown at her by the eyes of practically every woman they encountered. Jack and Daniel being typical men in so many ways did not notice, but Janet, who was walking with Jack behind Daniel and Candice, noticed. And she made mental notes about the women in question. People seemed to forget that although she was a doctor that she was also an officer that could make lives miserable. And she knew that right now the last thing Candice needed was additional stress.

---------------

Once SG-1 and Janet were assembled in the briefing room General Hammond sat down and started the meeting.

"First let me just say that the past month has been extremely stressful on all off us, and I'm sure that I can speak for your teammates in saying that we are very glad that we have gotten to the bottom of the mystery surrounding you two." He paused, "But second let me just say that I am a little disappointed that neither of you felt that your experience was important enough to share with the rest of us. Especially you, Doctor Jackson. Your off-world experience should have alerted you to the fact that this was serious."

Daniel dropped his eyes, a little embarrassed, but said respectfully, "I seem to recall being locked in a mental ward and pumped full of drugs the last time, sir."

Jack interjected, "I am sure, sir that we have all learned from this."

"Major Carter, were the Asgard able to determine the device's function?"

"Yes, sir. The device was apparently used by the original inhabitants of the planet in their courtship rituals. Basically a couple looking to be married would be exposed to the beam which would show them what an entire lifetime together would be like. Upon waking, the couple could then decide if in fact they wanted to proceed with the marriage."

Jack was doodling and quipped, "Bet that cut down on the divorce rate."

Everyone at the table leveled an exasperated look at him, and he defended himself by saying, "What? I'm just saying…"

Sam continued, "Anyway, the Asgard were able to determine that there a second part to the ritual. If the couple in fact does want to proceed with the marriage, they must return to the temple before the next lunar cycle and again be exposed to the beam. Apparently this makes the memories permanent."

Daniel was processing this when he heard Candice next to him say quietly, "So if we don't return to the temple within the month then the memories will go away?"

Sam replied gently, "Yes. The lunar cycle on that planet is a little longer than ours, but basically it means that if you two don't revisit the temple in ten Earth days time the memories you have will begin to fade."

"So it was all just something created by this device?"

Janet had seen the color drain from Candice's face as she asked that question and tried to give her an answer that would put her mind at ease, "We didn't find anything that would indicate that your experience was manufactured. You both seemed to retain your free will and personalities. So although we can't say for certain, your experience was most likely the product of your own making."

General Hammond cleared his throat, "I'm putting SG-1 on stand-down for the next two weeks. Dr. Cooper, Dr. Jackson, you both are free to leave the base. I am sure you both have things to discuss. Dismissed."

Candice got up and went to the window overlooking the gateroom. She heard the others leave the room and felt Daniel step up behind her. "It wasn't real, Daniel."

"Not entirely, no. But it came from us, so there is some part of it that's real." He reached down and took her hand and gave it a little squeeze.

"I need to try and get a handle on all this, try and think it all through."

"Why don't we go get some tea and see if we can make sense of it all."

She turned to face him, "Actually I think I need some time alone, Daniel." She stepped away but he wouldn't release her hand.

"D'Diamar?"

He could see that she was trying not to cry and her voice was wavering as she said, "That's a made up word from a made up place, Daniel."

She squeezed his fingers a final time and walked away, leaving him to stare after her as she left.

---------------

feedback appreciated!!