To all of you who have stayed with me and enjoyed this story, for your reviews and encouragement, I thank you so much! And now you have weighed in on whether this should be the final chapter and the verdict is "yes". I agree. The next part of Sam and Jack's journey will happen in a new fic, the sequel. I am so pleased that the Aquilians I created became such an integral part of our couple's story; I hope that we can revisit them in the future. I am well and thank you also for your kind thoughts and prayers this past week. Finally, I must thank my two special Gateworld Forum friends, Coley and tagger, who were my personal cheerleaders and Beta readers. They kept me on task and challenged me throughout. Without them and my Muse, I doubt that I'd have gotten this far! Peace, CG

Heat Chapter 53

It was a busy morning. Sam was awake when Nurse Rachis arrived on duty, eagerly awaiting her final round of blood tests and final checkup from Dr. Marius. Eva assisted and all went well. Sam then ate breakfast with Jack; Eva had thoughtfully ordered two trays. Eva disappeared for an hour but was back when Dr. Marius returned to tell Sam that her bloodwork continued to register normal and he was releasing her to Dr. Lam's care at the SGC. Jack mentioned something about 'cake' and Sam laughed. Eva didn't understand the reference but decided to look busy and let it be a private joke between the couple.

After the release forms were signed, Eva brought Sam's dress-blue uniform. Jack went back to the VIP suite to get himself ready for the trip back to Earth. By noon, Lt. Colonel Samantha Carter was looking very professional and poised in her dress blues. General Jack O'Neill arrived in his dress uniform, ready to escort Sam to the Stargate. Together, they made a striking couple.

Alayna came in with Kaya, telling Jack and Sam that Karnak had made arrangements for transportation to the Gate. Sam was sure that she could handle the short walk but everyone insisted on her riding. Sam gave Eva a warm hug, telling her that she planned to keep in touch. Likewise, Jack also hugged the nurse and reminded her that Walter would be returning soon with his first toy delivery. "There will be a stuffed puppy for you, Eva", assured Jack.

As he and Sam were leaving, Eva secretly slipped two wrapped packages into Sam's travel bag. She was glad that the couple was distracted with Alayna and the baby as she didn't want them to open the presents in front of her. She wanted them to open the gifts back on Earth, preferably at that place on Earth called Minnesota. She smiled to herself at the audacity of her action. Yet, this was her way of showing her gratitude for their newly formed friendships and her support of Jack and Sam's future relationship.


Jack and Sam were greeted outside the medical center by Karnak. The leader of Aquila sat in the front of a strange-looking vehicle. It was some type of transportation device, similar to a large sedan, but there were no wheels on this car. Instead, it seemed to be hovering about two feet above the ground.

"Holy Hannah!" O'Neill looked incredulous and Sam smiled warmly to hear her father's favorite expression come out of Jack's mouth.

Karnak's laughter rang out as he excitedly explained, "This, my friends, is the latest result of Aquilian technology. It is a levitation car and will transport us to the Gate. The ride is quite smooth and we are not wasting precious fuel supplies; instead, we are working with waves of energy and gravity which propel us forward. This is our prototype and I wanted you both to be the first to experience its efficiency and speed." The high-spirited leader motioned Jack and Sam into the back seat.

Sam climbed in first and Jack followed. The car rose another ten, fifteen feet in mid-air and whisked the three friends off. While the vehicle went cruising through the city, suspended above the citizens' heads, their President grinned and waved to his people as they looked up and shouted their approval. As Sam and Jack watched the crowds reacting below, they realized that Karnak was again in command. The once-stricken leader was engaged at the controls of the new levitation car and enjoying every minute. Jack squeezed Sam's hand and whispered in her ear, "He found a new toy." Sam giggled and nodded her head in agreement.

Jack pressed on. "Did you say this was the prototype?"

"Yes, it is", Karnak proudly replied.

"Do you happen to remember what happened the last time you took us up in the air?" Sam poked Jack in the ribs but he was hell bent on teasing his friend. Now that the worse was over for all of them, Jack felt that they could laugh freely again.

Karnak's grin widened as he maneuvered the air car. "Jack, you have such little faith in me. I assure you that this model is quite safe and has only several feet to fall should one of those wind tunnels come up. I am building a new biplane soon, fully equipped with the latest in technology and communication devices. I will send you your invitation when the plane is ready." Karnak turned and winked. With that, he increased the speed of the car, passing through the portals of the city and giving Jack and Sam one last look at its perimeter.

As the gleaming dome receded in the distance, all three friends became quiet, reflecting on the inter-galactic connections, both personal and professional, that had been made between the Aquilians and the Tau'ri.

Soon they were hovering in front of the DHD and the Stargate. Jack leaned forward and patted Karnak on the shoulder. "It's been quite a ride …"

"In more ways than one", Sam finished his thought. There were tears in her eyes as she kissed Karnak on the cheek.

The ebullient leader turned serious. "Come, let me bid you a proper farewell." Karnak stepped from the front of the vehicle as Jack and Sam disembarked from the rear.

They slowly walked to the DHD whereupon Karnak embraced Sam warmly, whispering to her that "love always finds its way home. You have found each other here on Aquila. Do not lose each other back on Earth."

Sam let herself feel the warmth of this man's embrace and his caring words. She wiped the tears from her eyes as she stood back and let Jack take his leave.

Jack shook Karnak's hand and then the President grabbed Jack in a bear hug, reminding him privately that "she is ready, Jack. You are both ready to move forward. Do not let her go. Seize the moment."

Jack turned to Sam and gave her one last command, "Dial us home, Carter, we've got another mission to attend to, in Minnesota."

Sam dialed the familiar chevrons with a lump in her throat and waited for the always welcomed whoosh of the engaged singularity. Then she reached for Jack's extended hand and they walked, side by side, up the steps, through the event horizon, into the future.