A really short one tonight folks! Thank you for all the reviews and for continuing to read this story - even when I'm bad at updating. Happy New Year everyone!

The transfer of the Teleurans to Gaia went smoothly, or at least as smoothly as moving 600 people could be. Earth sent people and supplies to help the Teleurans establish a community on their new planet. While it would take years before they were completely self-sufficient, at least now they had their own home.

They were suitably grateful and told the people from Earth they would always remain friends. They were especially appreciative of the O'Neill/Carter family and presented Jack and Sam with a number of gifts.

"And you will always have a home here," Zaphir told them. "We will keep your house in good repair and it will wait for your return."

"Uh – that's – okay great, thanks," Jack said, hating the emotion that was attempting to well to the surface. "And just look after the goats, okay? They can be ornery, but they're good beasts. Treat them well and they'll treat you well."

Zaphir nodded and gave a bow. "We will look after the animals and our new home well, Jack O'Neill. For us this is a new beginning."

After saying goodbye, Jack turned and left the gate room before the last Teleuran had stepped through the event horizon. Although Hammond had offered to let him be part of the relocation, he had refused. It was hard enough saying goodbye to Gaia, without going back and forth.

Sam had stayed at Janet's with the kids and he was anxious to get back to them. He was also anxious to find a home for his family. As kind as it was of Janet, they really needed their own space.

Jack sighed as he headed up the elevator. He knew he should be happy to be back on Earth, but so far everything had been difficult. He and Sam had had to go through interviews and tons of paperwork just to prove that they were who they said they were and that they were no longer MIA. Nothing was easy in the Air Force, although he suspected they were making things especially difficult for them. Someone up top didn't like them!

He'd – or rather they'd – have to figure out their new living situation. Daniel had immediately offered to move out of Jack's house and give it back to them, but he didn't think that was the solution. It just wasn't big enough for a family of five. But until all the paperwork was done, and he had access to his bank account, he couldn't really afford anything. And Sam was in the same position.

At least the children were enjoying themselves, he chuckled to himself. They adored Cassie and were having a great time exploring all sorts of new things. They loved Cassie's dog as well and he knew that when they moved into their own place he'd have to get a dog, although Sam might be a bit if a problem in that area. Oh well, maybe he'd buy her a cat as well.

Sam had gotten in touch with her brother, who was coming to see them on the weekend. He'd been shocked and thrilled to find out she was alive. It had been a bit difficult not to be able to give him any information as to where she had been – but he had accepted the lack of explanation. After the call she told him her brother had mellowed in his view of the Air Force.

She had shed some happy tears after talking to her brother and Jack had been really happy for her. It had made him a bit melancholy to realize he had no close family to contact. He had a few cousins, but they had lost touch years ago. The only person he had needed to call was Sara.

That had been a difficult conversation. When he called and told her it was him, there had been dead silence on the phone. Finally she had spoken – telling him she was glad he was alive. She had also told him she was remarried – which gave him a bit of a jolt, but then he told her he was as well. They'd wished one another well, and that had been it. He rather expected he wouldn't see her again – except maybe at Charlie's grave on his birthday.

He knew he'd put Sara through all sorts of turmoil in their marriage – and afterward. This latest episode had probably been the last straw for her, and she'd moved away from any emotional attachment to him out of self-preservation. He understood it, but it was still painful. It really was the closure of his former life.

But then he thought about Sam and his kids and couldn't help but smile. He'd started a new life, and he was happy in it. It was time to let the past go completely.

As he pulled up to Janet's house, he sat for a few minutes, contemplating what the future might hold. He'd been offered his old job back, but didn't know if he wanted it. Sam hadn't decided either, although he knew she had to do something to keep that amazing brain of hers active. He hated the thought of her going through the gate. Frankly it terrified him. But if that's what she wanted, then he'd support her.

But both of them couldn't do it. There was no way he was going to leave his kids in danger of losing both parents – and gate travel was dangerous. No – he was pretty sure it was time for him to retire. He'd become a house-Dad and enjoy his family.

With that thought, and with a smile, he opened the car door and headed up to the house. When he opened the door he was met with a dog barking and squeals from three children. Sam was sitting on the floor, with Janet, and both of them were laughing. Cassie was sitting on the couch, looking vaguely disgusted at the two women in front of her.

"Uncle Jack," she said in relief. "Finally, an adult!"

That caused Sam and Janet to laugh even harder, and caused Jack to lift his eyebrow. "Okay," he said, "what's going on here."

"Nothing," his wife gasped. "We were just playing with the kids."

"I see. Well, can I play too?"

"Uncle Jack!" Cassie cried. "I counted on you! They're being incredibly silly."

After much laughter and teasing – and giggling children and a barking dog, things finally quieted down. The children went for their naps and Jack and Sam sat on the couch, curled up together. Cassie and Janet both sat, exhausted from all the play, across from them.

"So, did the Teleurans all get off okay?" his wife finally asked. She had avoided talking about the aliens, feeling as ambivalent as he did about the people moving to Gaia.

"Yes, all gone. George sent two teams with them as well as some scientists and experts to help them set up their new community. They said they'll keep our house for us and they'll look after the goats."

Sam reached over and took his hand and gave it a squeeze. It was hard for both of them, but she knew that for Jack it was especially hard. He'd grown to love Gaia.

"You're going to miss it?" Cassie asked.

"Yes. It was – our home." Sam said softly. "It's where we started our lives together and our family. It's not that we're not happy to be back, but -"

"I understand," the young woman said, and both Sam and Jack knew she spoke the truth. If anyone could understand what they were going through, it was Cassie.

"But now you have us," she said with a grin.

"Yes, now we have you," Jack answered with a grin, "built in babysitters!"

That night, as they curled up together under the covers, Sam asked again. "How are you feeling?"

"Me? Good."

"No, I mean about the Teleurans."

"Oh – fine I guess. I mean, I'm glad there will be someone there to enjoy the planet and to look after things. As hard as it is, I think it would have been worse to leave it deserted."

"Yeah, I think so too. I just hope they look after my garden! I spent a lot of time on that!"

"I'm sure they will." There was silence for a few seconds until Jack turned on his side and regarded his wife. "How about you? How are you doing?"

"Me? Well, I'm happy to have connected with Mark, and it's lovely to see our friends again, but I'm really missing having our own place. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm really appreciative of Janet and Cassie's hospitality, but …"

"I know. I feel the same. And then there's your father…"

"Yeah – I wish I knew where he was and that he's okay."

"Hammond has sent out a number of messages to the Tok'ra. He's probably on some mission and as soon as he's back they'll let him know."

"I know. I just – I'm sure it's been hard on him and I miss him."

"Of course." He leaned over and gently kissed her on the head. "And he'll be here soon. And then he'll kill me for marrying you and making babies with you!"

"He will not Jack!" she told him, hitting him on the chest. "He'll be happy for us."

His eyebrow went up. "You really believe that?" he asked incredulously. "He's gonna be furious!"

"Jack O'Neill! He will not. He likes you."

"Yeah –as a colleague, not as the husband of his little girl. He's gonna kill me," he said again.

She let out a long suffering sigh. "You'll see – he'll be happy. And he's gonna love the kids."

"Of that I have no doubt. It's just their father he's gonna have trouble with."

She snorted and then hugged him and soon they fell asleep. They'd worry about everything in the morning.

Over the next couple of weeks things slowly got sorted out. The paperwork all came through and Jack and Sam were officially no longer MIA. They had also had to see about getting a marriage license and birth certificates for the children. Fortunately, General Hammond pulled some strings and arranged to have everything done. Their marriage was made legal and the children were all officially recorded as being born in Colorado Springs.

Jack was also pleased when his bank account was opened. Both he and Sam were given all their back pay from when they had been stranded, so they each had a nice little next egg. With that, Jack found a real estate agent and told her what they needed.

"Where are we going?" his wife asked a few days later.

"It's a surprise," he told her.

"A surprise?" she watched as they drove into one of the nicer areas of Colorado Springs. The houses were built up high on the hill, with views of Pike's Peak and the Garden of the Gods. Soon Jack pulled into the driveway of one of the bigger homes.

"Jack, where are we?"

He turned to her. "We need a new house," he told her. "With three kids and a dog," (that garnered him a look), "we need more space."

"You bought this?"

"No, of course not. I wouldn't do that without you taking a look. But the real estate agent told me about this place so I thought we could come and look. If you don't like it, that's fine, we can look at other properties."

"Okay." She turned and looked at the house again. "It's gorgeous – but can we afford it?"

"Mmm hmm. Daniel wants to buy my place and with that, and all my back pay, we can."

"And mine," she said, sounding distracted. Sam finally opened her door and stepped out. Just then the real estate agent stepped out of the front door and smiled.

"Come on in and see the place," she said. "I think you're going to love it."

And she did. It had stunning views of the mountains and the city and it was roomy. There were five bedrooms and a study. The basement had another bedroom and full bathroom, plus a small kitchen and living area.

"For when your dad visits," Jack told her.

There was also a play area for the children and a great outdoor yard with a full play structure.

"Jack, it's gorgeous. You're sure we can afford it?"

"Yup."

And with that they put in an offer on a new house. Soon they'd have their own home, once again.

Jack could hardly wait.