Giving him the 'evil eye' Sam simply ignored his last comment. The worst thing to do, she recognized, was to encourage him!
"So Jack, any ideas about what's going to happen now? I'm really ready to be finished with this whole thing. I could so use a hot bath and a glass of wine!"
"Hey, that sounds really good. Can I join you?"
"For the wine or the bath?" she smirked. No way was she about to let Jack get away with his little comments anymore. Now that they were on an equal footing (at least personally if not professionally) she was going to give as good as she got.
"Uh – why not both? Well actually, I'd really prefer a beer and I'm not much into baths, but I'd be happy to wash your back."
"Well Sir, maybe you'll get your chance - one day!" With that she gave an evil grin and walked away, towards one of the shifting 'walls'. "I wonder if they're just going to leave us here? It seems rather strange, unless they're waiting for something to happen."
"I don't know. It is strange. Hey guys! Anybody listening? Come on, we want to go home. We're tired and Carter needs a bath," he yelled. "Don't just leave us here. At least you could get us something to eat and drink. Come on guys, enough is enough!"
Nothing happened for a few moments. Just as the two humans decided they were being ignored, the room began to solidify – or at least that's the only way they could describe what was happening. In actual fact, it simply began to take on more of the appearance of a room with walls and ceiling. This time, however, it was truly transparent. No longer were the colors swirling and moving and changing. Now, they could clearly see through the walls.
Sam moved closer to Jack as they peered out of the room. What they saw, however, was definitely not the planet Trelea. In one direction they saw what appeared to be a number of people moving about. At first they couldn't see who they were but soon they started to recognize faces. They saw Daniel and Teal'c, Vala, Mitchell, Walter, Hammond and others from the SGC. Jack could also see Sara. Sam recognized Cassie and her brother Mark and his family. The people continued to move and looked like they were speaking but no sound could be heard.
"What's going on?", asked Jack. "What in the world is this about now?"
"I don't know. But Jack, look", she said, pointing to the other side of the room.
Through that side they could see a beautiful landscape with grass and trees and a little stream running down one side. In the middle of the scene was a path leading away, but where it went it was impossible to say.
"Okay guys, what are you showing us here? What the hell is this?"
The scenes faded and the walls became translucent. The colors began to swirl.
"Oh for God's sake. ENOUGH!"
"Jack – they're coming back."
He turned and sure enough, the aliens were appearing again. This time, however, they appeared more solid, more 'humanoid' in shape and appearance.
An alien they hadn't seen before – at least they didn't think they had – stepped forward. She was beautiful, with long flowing golden hair and eyes the color of sapphires. She began to speak in a soft but melodic voice.
"O'Neil, Carter, your journey is almost at an end. We know it has been difficult and we are sorry, although it was not of our making. The things that have happened to you were brought forth by you yourself O'Neill, not by us."
"What! Are you telling me this is all my fault? Hey, no way. I'm not taking responsibility for this. I would never have put myself, and certainly not Sam, through this. You've got some marbles loose if you think I would choose this."
"O'Neill, what has happened to you is because of who you are and because your blood, your destiny has shown you the path. This was foreordained from before you were born. We have been here simply to guide your way."
"Oh and you've been such fantastic guides! I think maybe you had all better look at a change in career. You really suck at the 'guide business'. You've done nothing but spout mumbo jumbo since we've arrived. We've been tortured, tricked, terrorized, confused, angered, and given a bunch of 'no-win' choices. And all this time no one will tell us what the hell this means, except to talk about destiny and choices. Okay, why don't you tell me now what this is about so we can figure out what the hell to do," he shouted.
"I understand, O'Neill, and I wish I could. It is not that we don't want to, it is that we do not know. We were given signs, and hope, that you were the Chosen. What that means for us and for you we do not know. We know only that you will restore something good to this world, this universe. I believe, as do my brothers and sisters, that your path will give you answers."
"So, you're basically telling me that I have to blindly reach into the goody bag and make my choice and only then will I know what I've been given?"
"I do not know what a 'goody bag' is – but I believe you do understand. You can choose different paths – and the journey will therefore be different. Our hope is that either path will lead to the restoration of faith and goodness."
"All right then – either choice is good but different?"
"Yes, in it's way, either is good – although it may be hard for you or others depending on the path."
"This is crazy. The more you talk the more confused I am. Sam, can you figure any of this out?"
"I guess what's she's saying is 'all roads lead to Rome' but the journey will be easier or harder depending on which route you take."
"Great – thanks Sam - now you're spouting clichés, and you know how much I love those!"
"I'm sorry Jack – I'm struggling to understand as well. And, what can I say, it just seemed to fit."
"Yeah, all right. So, I'm off to Rome – I'll take the high road and you'll take the low road – or something like that? Or maybe we'll all take the high road! That's what my mother always taught me. "Yup, she'd always say "it's better to take the high road, Jack, my boy! Okay – so now, tell me. What about Sam – and Daniel and Teal'c? What about my friends?"
"We thought that when this began that it was only you. We have seen, through your trials, that your destiny is tied to others. Again, they may journey with you or not. That is their choice and yours. Now O'Neill, it is time for us to go. We have done what we were called to do. Now, you must decide. I can give you one thing before we go. You have seen your choices – you may return to earth or you may take the literal path you have just seen. I give you one warning. If you go down that path you must not be alone for it leads to the joining."
With those final words, each of the aliens moved towards Jack, one by one. As they passed him they all reached out and gently touched him. He couldn't move but he wasn't worried or frightened. Instead, as each alien touched him he felt an electric current pass through him. It was not painful but, at each jolt, he saw pictures, scenes in his head. He saw a white house, then a garden – he saw friends talking and laughing, He saw many, many children of all ages, running and playing. He didn't know what any of it meant – but the images were all beautiful and all left him with a sense of wonder and peace. Finally, as the last alien, the beautiful one, touched him he heard her voice say,
"Existe procul pacis" - be at peace. With that they were gone, they had all faded away and silence filled the room.
"Jack, are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine", he turned and smiled at Sam. "As irritating as they were, I think they were well meaning and I think they just gave me something of a blessing. They were okay at heart – I just really wish that someone would pass a universal law stating that supreme alien beings have to speak in plain English!"
"So, what now?"
"Now, we make a choice – either earth or the joining – whatever that is. Hopefully we'll find out more soon."
Looking at Sam he reached out and softly touched her hair. He then slowly pulled her to him, putting his arms around her and resting his head on hers. Closing his eyes he stayed there, waiting for the next step in this strange journey.
After a while he lifted his head and, looking down at his love, he said, "well, I certainly never expected all of this when Daniel invited me along. I should have known better. Danny always has a way of getting us all into trouble! 'Just a few artifacts, Jack!' 'They're peaceful people Jack, they won't hurt us.' 'It's just a simple 'meet and greet – nothing to it, it'll be over real quick and you can return to earth.' 'Hey Jack, it'll be fun, just like old times!' And you know what?"
"What?"
"He was right. It is just like old times! Nothing can be simple or straightforward for SG1 can it? And you know what else?"
"What", she gently laughed.
"I wouldn't change things for the world! As miserable as this has been in many ways, it's also been the best thing that's happened to me in a long long time. Out of all of this I've gained so much – a realization that I'm not alone, that if I had things to do over again I would make most of the same choices. I feel like I've regained my son – even though he's gone he's not really gone – you know what I mean?"
"Yes, I know what you mean. And it's true. I can see in your eyes that the awful grief and guilt that has been with you for so long is almost gone."
"Yeah – I think a bit will probably always remain – but I certainly feel better than I have since it happened. But Sam, with all of this – as wonderful as it is – the thing, which is absolutely the best, is you. I've found you Sam and I'm never letting you go!"
"Thank you Jack. And you know what?"
"What?" this time he laughed.
"I wouldn't let you let me go – even if you wanted to. You are definitely stuck with me!"
It was a time for the two friends, the two lovers, as yet only in spirit and in heart, to take joy in each other. The stood quietly, reveling in the fact that they were together and that the future was bright.
"Uh Sam, Jack? You two okay?"
Daniel! What? Jack looked up and saw Teal'c and Daniel standing beside them. He looked around and he realized they were standing in a field, obviously on Trelea.
"Guys! What's happened? Jack? Are we really back? Is this it?"
"I don't know. It looks like it. Danny, Teal'c what's going on? Can you tell us what's happened?"
"Well, we've been camped out here since you disappeared. Shortly after the two of you vanished the Guardians told us that you were 'Chosen' or something and had to undergo some kind of tests. Most of the time nothing happened but a couple of times we could see you. We saw you on that native planet with Baal. God - are you okay Jack? That looked really bad."
"Yeah, I'm fine now – everything's healed and we're both okay, although it was some wild ride. What else did you see?"
"Not too much actually, but it was sort of weird. Both Teal'c and I kind of had this feeling we could communicate with you but that doesn't appear to have been the case."
"Oh yeah Danny. You guys 'communicated' all right. I knew you were both there and you saved my butt again". He walked up to Daniel and gave him a 'man hug'. He then went to Teal'c.
"Hey buddy – thank you!' he grasped Teal'c's arm and then pulled him into a hug as well. "You guys are the best friends a man could have. I'm sorry if I haven't told you that lately. But just one thing Danny!"
"What Jack, what is it?"
"A simple 'meet and greet'?
"Sorry Jack! I really had no idea. But you know, it's really because of you."
"Whadya mean?"
"We can dress you up, but we can't take you anywhere! You're always getting into trouble!"
Yup, he was back, he thought as he reached out and tackled Daniel. God, it felt good, he felt good. This was the way things should be.
"Jack, Jack …. General! Uncle, uncle – I give up." Daniel yelped as Jack pinned him to the ground.
"So – I'm the one who gets into trouble, eh? Well, Dr. Jackson. Who's the one who always leads me there? My Momma always said that I had to be careful who I associated with – that I could get led into trouble. She was obviously talking about one Dr. Daniel Jackson!"
"Indeed O'Neill. I think you speak the truth. Daniel Jackson has a penchant for leading us all into trouble."
"Et tu Teal'c? Geez with friends like you ….!"
"With friends like us, Daniel," he said as he got to his feet, "you never have to worry about being alone." He reached down and pulled Daniel to his feet and looked around at his three closest friends, his family.
Smiling he looked at each in turn and said a simple, "thank you guys. I don't know what I'd do without you?"
A few minutes of warm silence ensued, with all of them contemplating their ties to one another, their love for one another.
"Okay enough", said Jack. "I can only take so much emotion at a time and I assure you, I've had more than my quota today. So, campers, what's our next step. Should we head back?"
"But Sir? The aliens said we could go back or take the path. Do you think we should leave yet?"
"I don't see any path that looks like the one we saw, do you Carter? We can stay for a while but I don't know quite what to look for. It'll turn out that this was all some kind of dream or something. Maybe the Treleans spiked their punch at the banquet and we'll all wake up with a huge headache."
"I don't think so Sir. I think this is real. I just wish we could figure out what it all means or what to do."
"Did the aliens give you any hints Jack, Sam?"
"Oh yeah – plenty of hints but no real information. It was all a lot of Oma Desala kind of talk with no clear answer. It was all choices and paths and destinies. I'm pretty sick of the whole thing and just want a beer and pizza. God, I'm starved. At least they could have fed us!"
Eventually, the four teammates decided that they would sit and wait for a little while to see if anything more transpired. In the meantime, Daniel got out a couple of MRE's and fixed them. They all sat down and ate while Jack filled his two friends in on some (not quite all!) of the details of his and Sam's adventure.
"I wonder what this all means? It does sound like you still have something to do – some purpose. It's really too bad they didn't give you more information."
"You're telling me! It's so frustrating. Well, hopefully we'll find out soon."
Suddenly, out of thin air a voice crackled. "Daniel, Teal'c come in, please come in". After an initial start of surprise, Daniel realized the voice was coming from his radio. He hadn't heard anything from the SGC since Teal'c had arrived back with the supplies.
"Daniel here. Who is this?"
"Daniel – it's General Landry. Have you seen anything of General O'Neill and Colonel Carter?" Oops they'd all been so happy to see each other that they had forgotten to notify Landry and Stargate command. Although Daniel realized that wasn't surprising for him, (he was always forgetting military protocol), it was unusual for Jack and Sam. They were always right on top of those kind of things. Oh well, they probably had a lot on their minds after what they'd been through, he thought.
"Here Daniel – let me speak to him. Hank, it's me O'Neill. Sam and I are fine. We just got back and I'll tell you everything shortly. We're waiting a while longer to see if anything else's going to happen."
'Jack, good to hear your voice. I'm glad you're both okay. But that's really not why I'm calling. Something serious has come up."
"What is it Hank?"
"We've just gotten word from some of our allies. The Ori are on the move. They're planning an all out attack on earth. We need you back here right away Jack. We need you and we need Carter. She's been working on some defense systems and we have to have her back yesterday! Can you head back to the gate now? Sorry Jack but we really need Colonel Carter."
For some reason, Hank's words seemed ominous. He knew things were bad if the Ori were headed earthwards, but somehow, it was more than just that. It was almost as if his words were a portent of something bad – something he didn't want to face.
"Okay Hank. We're packing up right now. We should make it back in about four or five hours. Keep me posted".
"Will do Jack. Over and out."
"Over and out."
"Okay everyone. I guess the vacation is over and it's time to head back to school. Let's pack up and get a move on."
"Jack."
"What Carter? We have to go – you heard him."
"I know but Ja,, Sir. I feel really bad about this. I don't know why but this doesn't feel right."
"I know Carter. I feel it too, but there's nothing we can do. We can always come back."
"I don't think so Jack. I think this is it."
He looked at her for a moment and realized that what she said was true. He felt it too. This was it, now was the time, the time to make the choice. But what choice? There didn't seem to be anything else they could do – no other path to take. Just as the thoughts entered his head he heard a gasp and looked up. He saw that Sam was peering off into the distance behind him. With a feeling of dread he slowly turned. There, behind him, was the path – the path they had seen together while still in the alien room.
"Oh no Jack. This is it. This is the choice we had to make. This is where I chose my career – not because I wanted to get ahead – but because earth's future, it's very survival was at stake. No, please no," she shouted. "How could you do this to us now?"
"Jack, Sam, what is it. What's happening?"
"Now we have to make the choice Daniel. I think this means a choice between being together or doing out duty. The same bloody choice we've been making for years. God damn it. I hate this. I hate this." she screamed to the wind.
The two officers stood there – pulled towards home and duty. The two lovers stood there as well, pulled towards a future together.
"What should we do Jack, Sir? What should we do?"
