Season 10 Episode 13 – The Road Not Taken

Episode summary: While experimenting with Merlin's phase-shifting device, Sam is pulled into an alternate universe. The transfer kills the alternate SGC's Carter, and Sam is enlisted by the AU President Landry to help first with the defence of Earth, and then with PR as the new poster child of the SGC. As she realises the liberties Landry has taken with civil rights however, she tries to use her new media presence to campaign for the return of democracy. She is very quickly and efficiently silenced, but manages to enlist the AU Carter's ex-husband Rodney McKay to both help her get home, and to carry on being a voice in Landry's ear for the return of the country's democracy and civil rights.

They had a 'welcome home' party for Sam, consisting of a team night at her place. The sentiment was sincere, but the party itself fell pretty flat. The team member who was still missing overshadowed them all with his glaring absence.

When Vala started looking decidedly depressed, Sam called an end to the event, claiming fatigue. She was pretty sure none of them bought it, but no one argued. It really wasn't the same without Daniel.

Sam talked Vala into staying the night, and installed her in the guest room with a borrowed set of pyjamas and an extra blanket, tucking her in almost like a child. "You wanna talk about it?" She asked softly, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Vala shook her head.

Sam stood to leave, but Vala suddenly grabbed her hand. "Do you think … do you think he's still alive?" She asked softly, sounding afraid of the answer.

Sam closed her eyes briefly, and made a decision. She climbed into the other side of the double bed, and rolled onto her side to face Vala, who mirrored her.

"I'm certain that he's still alive." Sam said firmly.

Vala looked at her for a long moment. "How can you be so sure?"

Sam took a deep breath, second guessing her decision for a moment before finding her resolve. Vala needed this. "You remember a few months ago when we all went out to a bar, and I drank a bit too much and … I said some things, about the future?"

Vala's eyes widened. "You know that you're going to have a daughter named Beth." She frowned. "But you said you didn't know anything else."

"I lied." Sam admitted. "I won't tell you everything that I know, but I will tell you this. Daniel is alive. He'll live to old age."

Vala gaped at her, and let out a shuddery breath. "How can you possibly know that?"

Sam shook her head. "I can't explain. But please trust me. He's going to be ok."

Vala nodded, and tucked herself close to Sam, who put her arms around the other woman tentatively. "Thank you." Vala whispered.

Sam smiled sadly. "You're welcome."

"You married McKay?!" Jack sounded positively outraged.

"I take it you finally read my report." Sam remarked wryly.

"McKay. Seriously?"

"Hey, it wasn't me." Sam argued, balancing the phone between her ear and her shoulder as she put away groceries.

"Still …" Jack sounded decidedly disturbed.

"However freaked out you're feeling right now, I guarantee you it was worse for me." Sam pointed out.

"Was I even alive in that universe?" He asked. "Your report doesn't mention me at all."

"You were alive, but I didn't run into you." She said. "I don't think that universe's Jack and Sam ever had a romantic relationship."

"What, nothing? Not even a healthy dose of sexual tension?"

Sam chuckled. "We're not a trans-universal constant, Jack."

"The Carter from that universe must have been really weird." Jack commented. "But even so … McKay?"

"He's not that bad." Sam protested.

She could practically hear Jack blanch. "You're defending him?"

"I'm not saying that in this universe I would ever in a million years have ended up marrying him. I'm just saying, he's not as obnoxious as he used to be, and I could do worse. I mean, the other me could have done worse."

"Let's stop talking about McKay." Jack begged, sounding uncomfortable.

"You started it." Sam pointed out, shutting her freezer irritably.

"A decision I'm living to regret." He commented. "Allow me to change the subject. How's Vala doing with our little secret?"

"She's not going to tell, if that's what you're asking. But I'm glad I told her as much as I did, she seems a lot happier now that she knows Daniel's going to be alright in the end."

"He'll turn up." Jack said, although he didn't sound nearly as certain as he had when Daniel had first disappeared, a couple of months previously.

"I just hope it's soon." Sam said wistfully. "I keep imagining what he might be going through …"

"Don't torture yourself, Sam." He said softly. Sam winced and sat down, saying nothing.

"Hey, look at it this way." Jack said. "If it was that awful, then future Daniel might have given me some details to help us find him when I saw him in my solo trip."

"Maybe." Sam conceded. "Unless he knew that it would ruin the timeline if he did."

"There's no point in second-guessing it." Jack said. "We just have to keep looking."

"Yeah, I know." She sighed. But please let us find him soon.