"I am more grateful than I can express for what your people did to save my life," Jack told the Assembly. "Without your medicine and powers of healing, I would be dead or severely disabled," he told them. "And on top of that, we were treated with respect and kindness, and both Samantha Carter and I will always remember your people and your planet with gratitude. But we want to do more than thank you," Jack continued, "we wish to continue to get to know you, to share our histories, our knowledge and the beauty that lies in each of our civilizations."

"We have treaties with many peoples and planets," Sam continued. She was standing beside Jack, on the podium, addressing the entire Assembly. Members of the Council had asked them to speak in favor of a treaty with Earth, before they left for home.

"The treaties have brought a richness to our world we would not otherwise have and they have allowed us to learn from one another. Jack and I urge you to consider a treaty with Earth. We would like to continue to get to know the Furlings – and we would be honored to introduce you to our people and our planet."

"Thank you again for your kindness and hospitality," Jack finished. "We are going home now, but we hope to hear that you want to explore the idea of a treaty with our world. When the time is right, you may contact us on Earth. Thank you."

Sam and Jack stepped down off the podium and made their way to the alien's equivalent of a Green Room. "Okay, now we've done what you've asked. Can we go home?" Jack didn't want to be rude, but both he and Sam were anxious to head back to Earth.

"Of course," Alethea replied. Most of the Councilors were there to say goodbye and to thank them for speaking to the Assembly. No one knew how it would go – but at least they had tried.

"We wish you a good journey back to your home." Elpis came forward and gave Sam her hands. "It has been an honor to get to know you."

"The honor has been ours," Sam told the Councilwoman. "We will never forget what you did," she said, glancing at Jack.

"We are glad that we could be of service," Cadmus told them. "Even if we choose not to enter into treaty negotiations, please know that Furlin considers itself a friend of Earth. One day we would welcome you back here."

"Thanks," Jack reach out and shook the other man's hand. Cadmus looked a bit surprised as handshakes were not done on Furlin. But after a brief hesitation, he returned the gesture.

Jack turned, one last time to the Council. "You have a wonderful world," he said, "and as Sam said, we – I won't forget what you did. You gave me – no, you gave us back our lives."

"We are glad," Phaedra told them. "We were concerned that you would not recognize your love for one another," she told them.

"Uh – you were concerned?" he asked, confused. "How did you even know?"

"Thor told us," Alethea told him. "He told us that your destiny was with Samantha Carter." The Councilwoman grinned. "So now, go home, Jack O'Neill, and fulfill your destiny."

He grinned back. "I plan to!"

They made their way to the Gate room, where Sam dialed and they sent a message through on the MALP. Once they got the go-ahead, they first sent the MALP through and then they said one final good bye to the Furlings. After that and together, hand-in-hand, they stepped through to Earth and to home.

"Welcome back, General Carter, General O'Neill!"

Sam and Jack walked down the ramp, where General Dooley was standing. He was surrounded by SF's although they didn't look that fierce, as many of them were sporting a smile. They were especially happy to see General Carter, who had been their commander for the last few years. Some of them knew General O'Neill as well, although most hadn't been there when he still served at the SGC. They primarily knew him as the "big boss" in D.C.

"It's good to be home Ron," Jack answered, shaking Dooley's hand.

"Uh Jack – General Carter, you look -" Dooley stopped, not quite sure what to say. "You look good.'

"I know," Jack grinned. "Lots to tell you – but the short version is the Furlings have a healing device and this," he gestured to his face, "is the result. Nothing bad – nothing like a sarcophagus, although I'm sure we'll be examined over every inch of our bodies. Just so you know, we're both fine and we're both – us."

"Well, it's good to see you, even if you look young enough to be my kids," General Dooley told him. "Now get to the Infirmary. Once we know everything is okay we'll have a debrief. Oh – and after that we have a little surprise!"

Jack and Sam made their way to the Infirmary, surrounded by SF's. They knew it was protocol and so ignored the soldiers – instead talking quietly about their plans once they could leave the SGC.

"They'll want me back in D.C. I'm sure," Jack said softly. "They're gonna want to know everything that's happened."

"And they're going to try and keep you from retiring," Sam told him.

"Mmm – and you too," he answered. "We'll just have to ignore them."

"You're sure you want to retire?" she asked him.

"Yup. And how about you?" he asked, and she could sense the worry in his voice.

"Absolutely," she smiled. "I'm already making plans!"

"Okay then – let's get this over with and get out of here. We have a life to begin planning!"

Over the next five hours they were put through every test imaginable. Jack complained that they'd added new ways of torturing him.

"And I swear the needles are bigger, Sam," he groused.

"Don't be a baby," she told him. "It's just an itsy bitsy needle."

"Hey, you never said that to me when I complained before," he whined.

"That's because I reported to you back then," she grinned. "I would have gotten in trouble. But now," she smirked, "I don't have to worry."

"Uh oh – maybe I should be rethinking this," he said.

That just caused Sam to laugh, and the nurses to glance between themselves. They'd never seen General Carter so – happy – before, and it was freaking them out.

"So Dr - ?" Jack said as the doctor approached him.

"Trieber, Sir," the young doctor said.

"Yes, sorry – Dr. Trieber. So, did you find anything?"

"No Sir, Ma'am. You're both healthy – in fact, you're both in perfect health."

"And we're – us?" Jack asked

"Yes, Sir," Trieber grinned. "As far as I can tell, you're both who you're supposed to be. The DNA results came back and they're both a perfect match."

"Not clones?"

"No Sir – not clones."

"Okay then," Jack said, as he jumped off the exam table. "I'm gonna get dressed and get out of here. Nothing personal Doc, but the Infirmary is not my favorite place."

"So I've heard, General," the doctor replied.

"Really?" Jack's eyebrow went up, as Sam giggled.

"Your – uh – aversion to doctors and medical treatment is well known, Sir."

"Hmm," replied Jack, with an eye-roll. "Don't tell me who spread that false rumor," he glared at Sam – who giggled even harder.

"You comin' Carter?" he said, reaching out his hand. She grasped it, and also jumped off the table.

"It feels good to – feel so good," she commented.

"You're tellin' me," he replied. "First time in decades my knees don't hurt. Thanks Doc," he turned to Trieber. "Keep up the good work."

"I will Sir," the Doc smiled, and watched as the two most famous people in the Stargate program history left his Infirmary. He shook his head – he was suddenly pretty sure everything he'd heard about Jack O'Neill was true.

"Jack," Sam said softly as they headed towards the briefing room. "Are we going to get in trouble?"

"In trouble?" he frowned. "Why would we?"

"Well, technically I still report to you and they know I'm pregnant." Sam had told the doctor prior to any tests, to make sure nothing was done that would harm the fetus.

"You were on leave," he reminded her.

"But that doesn't change the fact that I was under your command."

He thought for a moment. "Alien influence," he said.

"You want me to tell them that the Furlings made me pregnant?"

"No, of course not. Wait – yes, on second thought – without them you wouldn't have gotten pregnant. I mean – they de-aged us so it's their fault."

"Fault?"

"You know what I mean. And anyway, I wasn't in my right mind. I had a stroke, you know."

"Yes, but what's my excuse?"

"I told ya Carter – alien influence. If they want to discipline us for this – well, let them! You're too important and I've waited too long for us to be together."

"Okay," she smiled, "then I guess I feel the same. Let's go and get this over with!"

They walked into the briefing room – at which point Sam let out a squeal.

"Daniel! Teal'c! What are you doing here?"

"We came to see you guys," Daniel said, quickly standing and giving Sam a hug.

"Teal'c, Daniel – it's great to see you guys!" Jack took part in the hugging and when everyone was done they all sat down.

"My God Jack, Sam – what happened to the two of you? You look years younger!"

"The Furlings have a healing device that regenerates the body," Sam explained.

"Wow! It's amazing. You look so good. You're making Teal'c and me feel old."

"Speak for yourself, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c replied. "It is indeed good to see you looking well O'Neill. And it is always good to see you, General Carter. As Daniel Jackson said, you are both looking healthy. I assume your time with the Furlings was good?"

"Yeah, it was great," Jack answered. He glanced at Sam. "Shall we tell them?"

He had spoken to her in Furling – or in "think-talk" – wondering if it still worked. She looked surprised, but then replied in the same "language". "It still works," she said, "I can hear you."

"I know – it'll come in handy if it stays – although it may wear off after a while."

"And I'll probably lose the ability after the baby," she reminded him. "This is amazing! So, should we tell Daniel and Teal'c?"

"Let's wait until after the meeting. Here comes Ron."

Just then General Dooley entered the room, followed by …

"Colonel Davis?" Jack exclaimed. "What the heck are you doing here?" Davis worked for Jack in D.C. and he was the last person he'd expected to see.

"The President sent me Sir," he replied. "As soon as General Dooley informed her that he'd heard from you and General Carter. Welcome back Sir, Ma'am. It's good to see you – and great to see you so well, Sir. We were all worried."

"Yes, well, let's not dwell. So – I assume the President and the Joint Chiefs all want a report?"

"I'm afraid so Sir – but to be fair, the President was more just worried about you. She thinks highly of you."

"Mmm – she's not so bad herself," Jack replied. "So – we'd better tell you all what happened. Sam, why don't you start since I don't remember the first little while we were there."

Sam and Jack spent the next hour telling about their time on Furlin. They left out any personal details – not wanting to share that quite yet. But other than that, they gave as many details as they could about their time on Furlin.

"So, do you think they'll want a treaty?" Dooley asked.

"It's hard to say. There are a few of them who want to reach out to the stars, but others are not so sure. They fought hard for peace and they're afraid that by travelling throughout the galaxy they'll be in danger of going back to their old ways," Jack explained.

"It's a legitimate worry," Sam added. "So we didn't press too hard. I do hope they agree though. I'd love it if we could get some of their technology."

"But you said that communicating with them will be difficult?"

"Yeah – they don't hear or speak. They're telepaths – or something similar. We'd have to find people like me with the Ancient gene to be able to speak with them."

"But General Carter could also speak with them and I don't think she has the Ancient gene?" wondered Davis.

"Yeah – well, we wondered about that too," Jack admitted. He didn't go into any further detail.

Just at that moment Sam yawned. That made Jack sit up and turn to General Dooley. "With your permission, General, I'd like to call it a day. We're both pretty tired after being poked and prodded. Can we reconvene tomorrow?"

"Of course Jack," Dooley answered. "Colonel Davis and I have some reports to go over – things that we had to cover in your absence, General Carter! Why don't you and General O'Neill head out for dinner with Teal'c and Daniel Jackson. I've arranged VIP rooms for all of you when you get back. Have fun and I'll see you tomorrow!"

They all said goodbye and then the former members of Sg1 made their way out of the mountain. General Dooley had arranged for a car and soon they were on their way.

"O'Malleys?" Jack suggested.

"Can we go there?" Daniel wondered. "Weren't we banned?"

"Daniel, that was twenty years ago or more. I think we'll be okay."

"I don't know – they might have long memories."

In the end no one batted an eye at O'Malley's when they went in and got a table. The surroundings had barely changed in the years since they'd last been there.

"So- anyone want to order three steaks?" Jack asked.

"I still can't believe I ate that much," Sam shook her head.

"It was astounding watching you polish off that much food, Carter," Jack commented.

"You're one to talk General. You ate twice as much as me. It was pretty incredible."

"I'm bigger than you Sam – of course I had to eat more."

All the while they were talking, Daniel and Teal'c were glancing back and forth between them, seeming bemused by the conversation. It was Daniel who finally dared to say it.

"You guys are different around each other," he said. "It's nice."

"Indeed, it is good to see that you are friends once again."

"Yeah – well," Jack looked down and played with his fork. After a few seconds of silence he lifted his head, to see all eyes on him. Sam was looking a bit worried, so he gave her a smile.

"It's fine," he told her silently. "I love you!"

"And I love you Jack."

Jack turned back to his friends. "We're not friends," he began. At the startled looks from his friends he cursed himself and restarted.

"We're not just friends," he told them. "After I regained consciousness I realized how lucky I was that Sam was with me. She helped me while I was recuperating – I would have been terrified otherwise. It wasn't long before I – before we realized that we still loved one another."

"I knew it!" Daniel crowed! "Didn't I tell you that, Teal'c."

"You did," Teal'c nodded. "But it did not take a rocket scientist to figure that out. It was quite obvious."

"Okay fine – but I still knew it! I'm so happy for you guys," he said. "Hey, are you getting married?"

"Whoa Daniel – we haven't been seeing one another that long. We're planning to both retire and then settle down – probably in San Diego. Other than that, we don't have specific plans."

Sam gave him the eyebrow.

"Except for buying a dog and a cat," he claried. At Sam's continued frown he shrugged, not sure what she wanted him to say.

"Jack – tell they our news," Sam finally said.

"You mean -" he pointed between the two of them.

"Yes – tell them what's happened."

"We're pregnant," Jack informed his former teammates. The resulting silence was deafening.