Title: Stargate SG-1 – New Beginnings

Summary: Can career driven Samantha Carter finally lay to rest the ghosts of her past and find true happiness? A/U

Pairing: Colonel Samantha Carter & Original Female Character.

Rating: MA for realist sexual content and language.

Disclaimer: The following story is purely a work of fiction created by borrowing characters from a television series for the purpose of entertainment. Characters other than originals remain the property of creators Brad Wright & Jonathan Glassner. No profit is gained nor is any copyright infringement intended towards Sony Pictures Television, Gekko Film Corp & MGM Worldwide Television.

A/N: Please find the time to review!

Chapter 21

Sam opened her eyes and immediately sprang out of bed when she heard Dana's heavy breathing coming from the direction of the floor. "Holy Hannah!" she exclaimed when she found Dana doing press-ups on the floor. She was butt naked and Sam was instantly aroused, "Oh boy, what a wonderful sight to wake up to."

Dana collapsed onto the wooden floor laughing. She rolled over and reached out her hands to Sam, "You could always join me down here."

"Oh god, I swear Dana; I have never had this much sex my entire life."

"Me either and on that note, get your beautiful bum down here."

"Hold onto that thought honey. I need to brush my teeth and pee first."

Dana giggled, "I for one really do appreciate that."

Tittering on her way past Dana, Sam entered the bathroom.

An hour later, the two women were still on the floor and covered in perspiration.

Sam was lying on top of Dana and looking into green eyes, "Honey, did you forget to tell me something yesterday."

Dana crinkled up her nose, "Don't think so Sam, why?"

"Let me give you a hint - lower back."

"Oh shit! Yes, sorry baby. I planned on showing you when we went to bed, but we got a little side tracked."

"We did, so roll over and give me a proper look." Sam lifted up off Dana and she rotated. Sam straddled the back of Dana's thighs and got comfortable.

"You can take off the gauze sweetheart. I only put it on so the ink wouldn't bleed into my shirt last night."

"All right," she slowly lifted off the adhesive surgical dressing. "Holy Hannah! I thought you told me the other day, you didn't need a tattoo to bind you to me?"

"Well, that was true then, but after actually dying and being brought back to life, I kind of changed my mind."

"I can see that." Sam traced her index finger along the outline of the letters spelling out the word "warrior" above the original tattoo. Above the lettering was the Air Force emblem and directly on top of that was the word "Sam's". Her eyes filled with tears as she tried not to think about nearly losing this incredible woman twice in the past seven days and all because she risked her own life to save hers.

Dana broke the silence that had fallen over them. "You okay?"

Sam wiped her eyes, "Yes honey, I'm more than okay. It looks awesome honey and rather sexy, may I add."

"I'm glad you like it. You know, it means that we can never break up now."

"I can go with that theory," Sam laughed, "You are really something else Dana Ridley."

Dana replied seriously, "Not really Sam, just someone deeply in love."

"As I am," Sam lowered her mouth to Dana's new ink, kissing her with numerous gentle pecks. "You want to share a shower with me."

"Uh huh," moaned Dana.

"Good, I'll show you how much of a turn on your tattoo is while we are in there."

"Oh god," murmured Dana. "You drive me crazy Sam."

-o-

Cassandra was making breakfast when Dana and Sam walked into the kitchen hand in hand.

"Morning Cassie," Dana said chirpily.

Cassandra spun around, her eyes wide as she hugged Dana cautiously, "I'm so glad you're home."

Dana rubbed her back with reassurance, "I am too and thanks for driving me to the base last night."

Cassie started to weep softly, "Welcome, so I gather there were no more clots?"

"Yep, I was given the all clear."

Cassandra pressed her head into Dana's shoulder, "By the way, I love you too." She sobbed harder from the sheer respite of having Dana home safe and sound.

"Love you too. I guess I just about loved everyone last night when I panicked."

"That's okay and it's all right to have been afraid, you weren't the only one," Cassandra wiped away her tears.

Dana stepped back and looked at the younger woman, "To tell you the truth, I was scared shitless and I just wanted to get it all out while I had the opportunity."

Sam draped an arm around Dana's waist, "Well, you can take the next forty years or so telling us."

"Deal sweetheart, so what's on the menu this morning Cassie?"

"This morning we have French toast."

"Yummy," answered Sam. "I have worked up quite the appetite."

"Delicieux," replied Dana. "M'aussi."

Sam murmured, "Oh god, you're speaking French."

Dana leaned into Sam's ear and whispered, "Vous etes beau."

Sam went weak at the knees and Dana smirked.

An elated Cassandra giggled and returned to the stove, "I'm not saying a word."

-o-

Sam took Cassie shopping to look for wedding outfits ideas and Dana was left behind at home to rest in front of the television. Thirty minutes into an episode of some inane programme, she was bored and looking for something physical to do.

After locating the trimmer in the garage, she made quick work of all the edges around Sam's yard then tackled the mowing.

Her phone rang as she was cleaning up the mower, it was Sam. "Hello gorgeous," Dana answered cheerfully. "Have you spent all your money yet?"

"Not quite. I'm just checking on you. How are you feeling?"

"Great, no concerns at all love."

"Good to hear honey."

"Have you found a mother of the bride outfit?"

"I have a few options."

"Are you going to be wearing a dress?"

"Yes."

"Oh good," replied Dana in her deepened voice that told Sam she was excited.

"I thought you would be pleased."

"You know me too well sweetheart."

"Yes I do." She laughed before asking, "So have you finished the yard work?"

"Yes my Sam, all done. In fact, I'm off to my house to do mine."

"Dana, don't overdo it," chastised Sam.

"I won't and I've got my phone on me. Besides, you have been calling to check on me every twenty minutes."

"That was the deal you were happy to agree to before I left the house."

Dana answered in defeat, "I got nothing baby."

Sam tittered, "Okay, I'll stop bothering you and we will be home soon. Cassie is having the final measurements taken on her gown."

"Cool, I look forward to seeing her on her wedding day."

"She looks absolutely beautiful. Here she comes now. I'll see you in a while. I love you."

"Je T'amie jolie femme."

"Oh boy, you better stop that sweet talk honey."

"Okay baby, see you soon and drive safe."

-o-

Dana walked over to her house and mowed the lawn before having a shower and changing into a pair of plaid shorts and light blue grandpa shirt. She was feeling worn-out as she entered Sam's living room and decided to take a nap before the girls arrived home.

Sam and Cassandra entered the hallway via the garage some seventy minutes later. Sam dropped the bags of groceries onto the kitchen counter while Cass took several shopping bags upstairs to her room.

She smiled as she passed by a sleeping Dana. While she was in her room, Cassandra rang Reese and filled her in on the latest.

After putting away the shopping, Sam went in search of her girlfriend. When she spotted her curled up on the sofa, the house phone rang.

Dana fluttered open her eyes and Sam reached for the handset on the coffee table.

"Hello Carter speaking."

"Sam, Carolyn."

"Hello Carolyn."

"I'm just calling to check on Dana. Patrick called me at home to inform me about what happened last night."

Dana got up off the couch and went upstairs to brush her teeth.

Sam watched her every move, until she faded out of eyesight, "Uhm yeah, it was pretty scary for a while, but she's doing well now. In fact, it's hard to keep her still."

Carolyn laughed, "I didn't expect her to be any different."

"Actually, she just woke up from a nap, so at least she isn't getting overtired."

"How are you holding up?"

"I'm good."

"Okay, I won't keep you Sam. Please say hello to Dana and Cassie for me and I'll talk to you soon."

"Thanks for calling Carolyn."

"No problem, bye."

Dana stepped up behind Sam as she returned the receiver to its port on the kitchen counter, "Hello baby."

"Hi. Did you have a good nap?"

"Yes thanks, was Carolyn checking up on me?"

"Yes she was and she said to say hello."

"That was nice of her. So did you end up with a dress?"

"No, but there's plenty of time still left. Thank you for doing the yard, it looks great."

"It was my pleasure. Did you happen to bring something home for lunch, I'm starving?"

"Yes I did as a matter of fact."

Dana turned Sam around in her arms and kissed her slowly, "Listen, I was going to tell you earlier, but with the incident and all, I haven't really had the time to discuss it with you."

"What is it honey?"

"When George visited me in the Infirmary the other day he informed me the teams for the mission to P3X-666 have been organised."

"Oh," replied Sam as she sat down on a kitchen stool. "That's good news."

"Besides SG-1, SG-6 and SG-13, I'll be leading SG-8."

Sam was truly impressed with the selection, "George has put together a formable team."

"Yes he has and we jump on the twentieth of August at zero nine hundred hours."

"Good, Cassie will still be here. The girls don't leave until the twenty fourth."

"That's great. Now on that subject, when do you plan on telling Cassie?"

"Tell me what?" asked Cassandra as she stepped into the kitchen.

Dana looked to Sam, "That's my cue to find something to do and leave you two alone."

Sam reached for Dana's hand and pulled her closer, "Honey, I'd prefer it if you stayed."

Dana sat down beside her, "Okay."

"So what do you have to tell me mom?" inquired Cassie.

"Sweetie, you should sit down first," instructed Sam.

Cassandra sat at the end of the breakfast counter and faced her mother, "Okay, I'm ready."

"A mission has been organised to P3X-666."

The younger woman gasped loudly, "But I thought Homeworld Security and the government wouldn't pay for one?"

"They haven't. The mission is being funded by an outside source."

"Say what!" exclaimed Cassandra completely confused.

"Some generous individual is footing the bill so we can go bring your mother home."

Cassandra looked at Sam, then Dana, "Holy shit! After all this time, mom's finally coming home."

Sam stood and approached Cassandra, "Yes sweetie, she's coming home."

Cassie burst into tears and Sam quickly followed.

Dana stood and left the room, leaving the two women to grieve alone in private. She went outside and sat on the backstairs then cried. She wept for the pain Sam and Cassandra were dealing with and she sobbed for the senseless waste of time it was taking to bring Janet back. Her tears fell for every single military personnel who had ever been left behind and not returned to their families.

-o-

Half an hour later, Cassie joined her on the stairs.

"How you going?" asked Dana.

"I'm a little shocked, but okay."

"How is Sam?"

"She's upstairs in her room lying down."

"All right," replied Dana sombrely.

"Can I ask you a question Dana?"

"You know you can."

"How do you feel about all this?"

"To be honest Cassie, I'm bloody angry."

"Angry?"

"Yes, your mother should have been returned years ago. Fucking bean counters should have authorised a retrieval mission without question or fail. All you people shouldn't have had to live with the added burden of her being stuck out there."

"Shit Dana, I'm blown away by what you just said and I couldn't agree more."

"I know that everyone connected with the initial mission has felt guilty all this time and I'm glad that they will finally have the opportunity to lay it to rest."

In a quiet voice, Cassandra asked, "You're funding the mission aren't you?"

"Yes," answered Dana simply.

Cassandra hugged her, "You're a very compassionate woman and I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Dana's eyes misted over, "I am glad you are going to be here after the mission, Sam is going to need you."

"She'll need you too Dana."

"Yes she will and I'll be right here."

"I wish Reese was here."

Dana patted Cassandra on the knee and suggested, "Why don't you take my truck and go to her?"

Cassandra hugged Dana again, "I'd like that and thank you. I love you."

"I love you too Cassie and I'll let your mum know where you have gone."

"All right and thanks again."

"Keys are on the kitchen counter and drive safe."

"I will."

-o-

After seeing Cassandra off, Dana went upstairs to Sam. She slipped in behind her back and comforted her. "Cassie has gone to see Reese."

"Okay, I thought you had left when I heard your truck."

"No baby, I'd never leave without telling you."

Sam interlocked their fingers, "Thank you and I love you."

"I adore you Sam. Are you going to be okay?"

"Yes, I just got upset when Cassie broke down."

"My two girls are strong and will get through this."

"I like it when you refer to Cassie and me as your girls."

"Well, you are my girls."

"And you are mine. Are you ready to eat some lunch?"

"No, I'd rather stay here like this."

"I would too."

"You tired?" inquired Dana as she kissed her beloved on the neck.

"I am."

"How about I sing you a lullaby?"

Sam pulled Dana's arm around herself, "You really do spoil me honey."

"Yes and I wouldn't have it any other way."

They were both asleep when the phone trilled fifty minutes later. It was Cassandra letting them know she had arrived safely and that she and Reese would be driving back in the morning. Sam snuggled back onto Dana's chest after hanging up the phone and the couple found sleep once again.

-o-

Dana and Sam spent Friday morning in bed making love, talking and laughing.

After showering, Dana made them lunch while Sam put fresh linen on her bed. As she passed by Dana in the kitchen, they both heard Dana's truck pull into the drive.

"Looks like we have two more for lunch honey," Sam mentioned on her way to the laundry room.

"I'll set two more places sweetheart."

Cassandra bounded into the room while Reese took their bags upstairs. Hugging Dana, she said, "You know, I really love your truck."

"Yeah, she's a definite chick magnet. How are you feeling?"

"I'm good and over the initial shock, although I'm sure I'll fall apart on the day."

"Well, you are entitled to Cassie, so is Sam," admitted Dana reflectively.

"I know, so where is mom?"

"She is in the laundry room."

"I'll go say hello."

"Okay and lunch will be ready in a few minutes."

"Thanks." Cassandra entered the hallway.

Dana made the final touches to the chicken risotto and turned to face Reese as she heard her enter the room. "Hey Reese, it's good to see you."

Reese rushed over to Dana and embraced her tightly, "I'm so glad you are all right and thank you for being so wonderfully generous and financially supporting this mission."

"I'm glad I am okay too and on the other matter, I'm just righting a wrong."

"It's pretty massive what you are doing."

Dana changed the subject, "You hungry?"

"I am famished."

"Good. Now go chase your girl and Sam out of the laundry room."

Reese let go of Dana, "Consider it done."

-o-

Later that afternoon, Dana was reclined on the couch reading the paper, Sam was working on a research paper in the study while Cassandra and Reese were upstairs taking a snooze.

Sam finished her work, shut down her computer and walked into the living room. She giggled when she saw all the pages sprawled across Dana and the couch, "This is the first time I have seen you anywhere near a newspaper."

"Well, it will probably be the last time too. All bloody doom and gloom except for the sport's section."

Sam laughed harder and leaned over her, "You look awfully beautiful though."

"Thank you. I wonder when the girls will wake up from their nap."

"Why honey?"

"I was thinking I would take you all out for an early dinner and maybe take in the new Jodie Foster movie."

Sam's eyes lit up "Ahh, Jodie Foster."

Dana tittered, "I see I have yet more competition."

Sam kissed Dana on the cheek, "No you goof."

"You know I am beginning to get a complex about being called a goof so often."

Sam giggled and used one of Dana's sayings, "Harden up honey."

Dana wrapped her arms around Sam's shoulders and pulled her onto her chest, "Maybe I will just harden you up instead." She seized Sam's lips in a fervent kiss. Her hands went to the small of Sam's back and slowly caressed the taut muscles. Dana groaned as Sam's tongue wrapped around hers.

They reluctantly pulled apart when they heard Cassandra and Reese on the stairs.

"I love you baby and we will continue this later," whispered Dana.

"I love you too and we definitely will take this up at a more convenient time," promised Sam huskily.

"Yes please, my Sam."

-o-

Cassandra was flicking through the cable channels after arriving home from dinner and a movie. Reese was sitting beside her on the couch and getting annoyed as her girlfriend rolled past shows she wanted to watch.

To Reese's relief she finally settled on a channel and yelled out to Dana, "HEY DANA, the blue jay's game is on."

Dana looked beseechingly at Sam, "Go on, I'll be there in a minute."

"Thanks sweetheart." Dana ran into the room and combat rolled onto the floor.

"Nice move Dana, do you have other party tricks?" joked Cassandra.

"Yes, but they are not for your young eyes, only your mother's."

Cassandra and Reese both laughed as Dana grabbed a cushion off the armchair and placed it behind her back.

"Well you seem to have fully recovered," noted Reese. "Cass told me your bruising was pretty impressive."

Dana smirked, "Still is, although not as black. A nice shade of yellow is coming through."

"Can I see?" inquired Reese enthusiastically.

"Sure," Dana lifted her shirt."

Reese's eyes widened, "Fuck! That's really bad."

"Are you showing off your boobs again honey?" questioned Sam as she ambled into the room.

"No, I have a bra on this time," answered Dana as she pulled her shirt back down.

"That's a nice change," joked Sam before she sat in the armchair and settled her legs on either side of Dana.

Dana remonstrated, "Sweetheart, I can't help it if people keep cutting off my shirts and giving everyone an eyeful. Now quiet time, my boy Roy Halliday is pitching."

"Before the no talking rule is in play, what time do you all want to leave tomorrow for Jack's?" asked Sam.

"Early," replied Cassandra.

Dana raised her hand, "I'm with Cassie."

"Okay then, six it is," decided Sam.

"In that case, I'm going to bed now. Goodnight everyone," announced Reese.

Cassandra said goodnight also and followed her fiancée upstairs.

Dana reached for the remote on the low table, "Can I interest you in an early night? We have some unfinished business I believe."

"Honey, you know it won't be an early night," reasoned Sam with a devilish grin.

Dana guffawed, "Oh indeed my beautiful woman."

"Race you upstairs. Loser has to scrub the winner's back in the shower."

"You're on baby."

Sam jumped out of her chair and took off up the steps. Dana took her time to tidy up the room and secure the house before making her way to Sam.

-o-